Worth noting

By Tom Singer

May 11, 2014

• Right-hander Jason Grilli (strained left oblique) threw another 25-pitch bullpen Sunday, which he rated as "even better" than Friday's session, and will next pitch a simulated game Wednesday while the club is in Milwaukee. The step after that will be determined based on how he feels in its aftermath.

• Starling Marte (lower back tightness) missed his first game of the season Sunday night and manager Clint Hurdle admitted not knowing whether the outfielder might be ready to play Tuesday following two days off. Apparently, medics treating Marte are trying to determine whether a disabled list stint is in order.

• The absence of Marte (who had come off the bench in the previous four starts he missed) reduced the scroll to two Pirates players who have played in each of the team's 37 games (including Sunday night): Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez.

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.