Worth noting

By Tom Singer

May 30, 2014

• Outfielder Andrew Lambo underwent surgery Wednesday, performed by Dr. Thomas Graham in Cleveland, to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb that had him out of action since early May.

Lambo will rehab in Bradenton, Fla., where the process is expected to take six to eight weeks.

• Clint Barmes was back in the starting lineup Friday night -- not because of his three-hit game the previous night, but because Jordy Mercer was getting a second straight night off.

"I'd planned on giving Clint some games here, just to give Jordy a break," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Definitely the first two, then we'll see where it goes."

• It really isn't a mystery why Pirates relievers have 16 wins (compared to the starters' eight) and a well-earned reputation as the Vulture Club: From the seventh inning on, the Bucs have scored the second most runs in the National League (83) and own the highest batting average (.266).

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.