Worth noting

By Tom Singer

March 31, 2014

• Catcher Chris Stewart, two weeks removed from knee surgery, took pregame batting practice and plans to return to game action in extended spring training next week.

• This was not the Pirates' first March 31 season opener, but it was the quietest in terms of runs scored. On March 31, 2003, the Bucs won 10-1 in Cincinnati; five years later, they outlasted the Braves, 12-11, in Atlanta.

• The Pirates began a season at home for the third straight year. How unusual is that? Well, in its entire history, the club had only 30 prior home openers (15-15) compared to 97 on the road (53-44).

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.