Worth noting

• Rodriguez took his regular turn along with other pitchers in throwing live batting practice on Thursday, and once again it was a positive step for the lefty, with Hurdle calling it "another good day for Wandy."

• The Pirates are waiting for new rules governing plate collisions to be formalized (player rep Neil Walker thinks it might happen Sunday; a meeting of Players Association reps is scheduled for that day), but the team doesn't sound too concerned.

"We'll find out what we're dealing with," Hurdle said, "then we'll deal with it. If we're put into a situation where we have to make an adjustment, we're more than capable of making it."

• Ex-Pirates righty Jeff Karstens has been an occasional camp visitor, hanging with some former teammates and current friends, and throwing sides. The Tampa resident is still biding his time recovering from rotator cuff-labrum surgery and, when healed, he will throw for interested teams.