The Pirates have sent catcher Dusty Brown, infielder Andy Marte, utilityman Corey Wimberly and pitcher Brian Burres leaving them with 32 players in major-league camp. They'll need to get down to 25 before the start of the season.
↵Brown's departure leaves Chris Snyder, Ryan Doumit and Jason Jaramillo as the catchers left in camp. Snyder has ongoing back issues, so it's unclear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. If he isn't, the Pirates have to take Jaramillo north.
↵The cut of Marte makes it more likely that Steve Pearce will make the team as a right-handed-hitting backup infielder.
↵At the start of camp, Wimberly appeared to be in competition for a utility role, but he played his way out of it, showing that his defense leaves a lot to be desired. He also isn't much of a hitter to begin with. Pedro Ciriaco and Josh Rodriguez remain in competition for backup infielder roles, with Ciriaco very likely to make the team. Rodriguez could make it as well, but particularly if the Pirates have to carry three catchers to start the year, that looks unlikely.
↵The Pirates have a need for lefty pitching in their bullpen and Burres is left-handed, but he's a pure Class AAA player who has no upside whatsoever, so his departure comes as a relief - no pun intended. With lefties Scott Olsen and Joe Beimel injured, new acquisition Garrett Olson has a very clear shot at making the team.
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