Worth noting

By Tom Singer

August 13, 2013

• Hurdle confirmed that the Pirates' plans for Kelly Shoppach, the veteran catcher signed and assigned to Indianapolis on Monday, is for him to get game ready and be added to the Sept. 1 expanded roster.

• Injury updates: Wandy Rodriguez (left forearm) is scheduled to throw his second bullpen session on Wednesday. ... Jason Grilli (strained right forearm tendon) had his second catch on Tuesday and again felt good doing so. ... Travis Snider (left big toe) took batting practice for the first time since going on the DL on July 28, and also had a frisky workout in the outfield.

• Losing Tabata, listed as the right fielder in the original lineup, to flu-like symptoms was a tough pregame pill for the Bucs to swallow. Lifetime, he has handled both St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright (6-for-13, with a home run) and Busch Stadium (.305, with 29 hits in 95 at-bats) well.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.