June 1: Mets (28-21) @ Pirates (22-28)

Happy first day of June — at least the weather is beginning to finally correspond with the month. Gorgeous day at the ballpark…

As noted in the blog earlier, the Pirates promoted RHP Steven Jackson from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Donnie Veal’s spot on the roster. Veal went on the DL (retroactive Saturday) with a strained right groin. Jackson is here and out on the field warming up with the rest of the pitchers.

Manager John Russell sounded plenty happy to have the sinkerball pitcher now available in the ‘pen. As Russell noted, the makeup of the bullpen really didn’t leave him with a prototypical groundball pitcher (Tyler Yates was closest to that mold but he is currently on the DL). Russell will use Jackson in middle relief, with an eye for a situation in which he can come in and get a groundball.

Cleaning out the notebook:

• Craig Hansen (neck/back ailment) had another round of tests today, which came back negative. He will head to Bradenton later this week to continue his rehab program. Tests last week identified the issue as inflammation of the Trapezius muscle. He is still not expected to throw for up to four weeks.
• Forgot to mention yesterday that the Pirates brass will be congregating in Bradenton for the draft rather than in Pittsburgh as usual. GM Neal Huntington explained how the setup of the team’s Bradenton facility allows for a better work space.
• Eric Hinske (6-for-22 against Mets starter Livan Hernandez) is in the starting lineup today. Sure can’t argue getting him four at-bats or so considering his production lately. He has five hits in his last nine at-bats and went 3-for-3 with a walk in his start on Saturday.
• Nate McLouth’s leadoff homer on Sunday was the fourth of his career and tied him with Roberto Clemente, Lee Handley and Gary Redus for seventh place on the Pirates’ all-time list. The leader? Barry Bonds with 20.
• Catcher Robinzon Diaz worked on the field with the coaching staff earlier this afternoon receiving pitches and then throwing to third.
• The Mets may have swept the Pirates earlier this seaosn (May 8-10), but their lineup isn’t nearly as daunting as they come to PNC Park for this four-game set. Cleanup hitter Carlos Delgado is out until July with a hip injury. New York is also without speedy shortstop Jose Reyes, who is on the DL with right calf tendinitis. Delgado went 6-for-13 with three runs scored and five RBIs against the Pirates back in May. In that series, Reyes went 7-for-13 with four runs scored, three stolen bases and four RBIs.

Pirates lineup:

1. Nyjer Morgan (LF)
2. Freddy Sanchez (2B)
3. Nate McLouth (CF)
4. Adam LaRoche (1B)
5. Eric Hinske (RF)
6. Andy LaRoche (3B)
7. Jason Jaramillo (C)
8. Jack Wilson (SS)
9. Ian Snell (RHP)

Mets lineup:

1. Luis Castillo (2B)
2. Ramon Martinez (LF)
3. Carlos Beltran (CF) Daniel Murphy (3B)
4. Gary Sheffield (RF)
5. David Wright (3B)
6. Daniel Murphy (1B) Jeremy Reed (CF)
7. Wilson Valdez (SS)
8. Brian Schneider (C)
9. Livan Hernandez (RHP)

** Beltran was a late scracth. Still ill.