By Tribune-Review

Published: Friday, June 29, 2012, 6:54 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, June 30, 2012

ST. LOUIS — Catcher Rod Barajas returned to the lineup Friday after sitting out three games with a bone bruise on his left knee.

“Luckily for us, it turned out to be not as serious as it could have been,” Barajas said.

Barajas was injured Monday in a collision when the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins slid into home plate. Barajas said he was never worried about going on the disabled list and could have played Thursday if necessary.

“We'll have to see how the wear and tear of catching affects it — if it's a longer healing process or if it will heal like any other bruise,” he said. “We'll have to see how I feel when I wake up every morning after I play.”

Eric Fryer was called up from Triple-A as an emergency backup. The Pirates will see how Barajas' knee responds Saturday before deciding whether to send Fryer back down.

• All-Star rosters will be announced Sunday, and outfielder Andrew McCutchen appears to be a lock for a reserve spot. Right-handers A.J. Burnett and James McDonald and closer Joel Hanrahan also seem to be candidates. Manager Clint Hurdle is not doing any last-minute campaigning for his players. “I've never done lobbying,” he said. “It doesn't do any good. I've been the guy who's been lobbied to, and it didn't do them any good. You let the process run its course.” Actually, Hurdle did speak out last year after McCutchen was snubbed when the backups were chosen. McCutchen made the team as an injury replacement for Ryan Braun.

• Drew Sutton batted leadoff Friday for the second game in a row. “We're going to give him an opportunity right now, but I'm not going to back away from getting either (Alex) Presley or (Jose) Tabata involved as well,” Hurdle said. “Our team, as it's built right now, we've got to use everybody appropriately. Drew is getting on base and giving us good at-bats.”

• Burnett has won each of his past eight starts, allowing 13 runs in 50 innings. Only two other pitchers in major league history have won eight straight starts while tossing 50 or fewer innings. Jeremy Bonderman of the Tigers threw 49 innings during his eight-win run in 2007, and Barry Zito of the Athletics did it in 50 innings in 2001.

• Any active duty personnel or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces can get up to four free tickets for the game Wednesday afternoon against the Astros. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

— Rob Biertempfel

1. Pirates notebook: Melancon relishes rare save opportunity
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3. Pirates notebook: Morton could be back in early June
4. Pirates notebook: Penguins jerseys in fashion for road trip
5. Pirates minor league notebook: Former 5th-round pick Glasnow shining in rotation
6. Improved depth could drive Pirates’ fortunes deep into season
7. Pirates notebook: McCutchen scratched with soreness in right knee
8. Pirates notebook: Botched popup shocks Martin
9. Pirates starters Locke, Wandy enjoying good fortune
10. Pirates beat Cubs, 4-2, to finish homestand with sweep
11. Former Pirates prospect Grossman now starting in center for Houston

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