The Pirates are among the finalists to sign free agent Brian Lawrence, who twice was the San Diego Padres' opening-day starter but missed all of last season after having shoulder surgery.

Team officials have attended several of Lawrence's mound workouts, including a private session recently with pitching coach Jim Colborn, and an initial contract offer could be made within the next week.

"There's no question the Pirates are interested," Lawrence's agent, Page Odle, said yesterday. "They've shown us that."

They apparently are not alone. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants also have attended Lawrence's workouts, and Odle described the field of suitors as being greater than that.

That level of interest makes it highly likely, despite Lawrence's surgery, that he will receive a guaranteed, major-league contract.

Lawrence, a 30-year-old right-hander, was 49-61 for San Diego in 2001-05, with a 4.10 ERA and 31 or more starts in each of his final four seasons with the Padres.

Washington traded for him in November 2005, but he never threw a pitch for the Nationals. He had surgery to repair extensive tears in his labrum and rotator cuff last February and, after sitting out all year, became a free agent when Washington declined his $5.7 million option for next season.

Hernandez returns

The Pirates and utilityman Jose Hernandez have agreed on a one-year, minor-league contract that would pay $900,000 if he makes the 25-man roster out of spring training. He is the favorite to be the team's primary backup infielder.

A favorite of manager Jim Tracy, Hernandez, 36, played five positions in 63 appearances for the Pirates last season and batted .267 with two home runs and 12 RBIs. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies Aug. 22 for cash.

This will be Hernandez's third stint with the Pirates. He was part of the infamous Aramis Ramirez trade in 2003 and spent half that season in Pittsburgh.