LHP Jonathan Sanchez not emerging as an early contender for roster spot

The Pirates are hoping they could resurrect LHP Jonathan Sanchez back to the pitcher he was in 2010 and the early part of his career, but that’s going to be a difficult thing to do.

Word is Sanchez throwing sessions have been erratic and it’s been status quo in spring training games. In 3 1/3 innings, Sanchez has a 13.50 ERA and has walked a team-high seven batters. Spring training stats mean nothing but in throwing sessions and games, Sanchez continues to look like the pitcher he has the past two seasons, one that can’t throw strikes.

Wednesday vs the Boston Red Sox, Sanchez couldn’t even make it through one inning, being pulled after walking two batters in 0.2 innings.

Spring Training Stats often mean nothing but here’s some #’s on few players:

*Gaby Sanchez, hitting .417 (5-12) with 2 home runs

*Jose Tabata, Has been hitting well, batting .353 with 4 RBI’s and 4 doubles

*Pedro Alvarez, hitting .071 (1-14)

*Starling Marte, hitting .353 (6-17) with 2 triples.

*Felix Pie, looking to earn a bench spot, has a team-high 5 RBI’s and is batting .353 with 1 triple and 1 double.

*Jeff Locke has pitched a team-high 10 innings, giving up 7 hits and 4 earned runs. Locke has walked 5 and struck out 7. He is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

*James McDonald has giving up 6 hits and 4 earned runs in 5 innings pitched. McDonald has a 7.20 ERA. He starts today.