Worth noting

By Tom Singer

March 25, 2014

• Scheduled Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano's final test Wednesday of his tight groin muscle will consist of trying to go three innings or 50 pitches in a simulated game at McKechnie Field.

• Edinson Volquez, who would make his Pirates debut in the season's sixth game if Liriano's health permits the club to stay in rotation, is expected to stay behind in camp for an extended Spring Training start before rejoining the team.

• Jeff Locke was brilliant in his start Tuesday against Pittsburgh's Triple-A players in Pirate City, holding them hitless for three innings, while walking two and fanning five. Locke threw 47 pitches in his first game action of any kind since his lone Grapefruit outing, on Feb. 27.

• At 31 players, the Bucs are still six over the regular season limit of 25, which has to be set by 3 p.m. ET Sunday. In all likelihood, the club will go to Philadelphia for Friday-Saturday exhibitions over the limit, then make its final cuts.

• Jose Tabata doubled his previous output of hits for the entire spring with his 4-for-4 Tuesday.

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.