BRADENTON, Fla. -- When the Pirates ultimately decide whether to move Freddy Sanchez from third base to second, they will not do so based on a fear that his risk of getting injured is greater at second.

Manager Jim Tracy left no doubt about that.

"We are going to put the best team on the field," he said, quite pointedly, in reply to a question on the matter. "How that plays itself out, we'll see what happens. But the fear of this or the fear of that ... I don't think you play the game that way. Freddy certainly doesn't. And hey, you can get hurt walking across the street."

Tracy grew more animated, though not at all angry.

"Look, we got better in the second half of last season, and our aim is to keep getting better. Right now! We're not going to be afraid! The best team will be out there!"

General manager Dave Littlefield shared the view on Sanchez and the risk of injury at second.

"There is not one sole determining factor in the decision," he said.

Sanchez, often hurt until the past two years, had his right knee mildly sprained five days ago when the Philadelphia Phillies' Rod Barajas took him out on a double play.

Sanchez said yesterday he could get back into a game as early as Wednesday. Swelling in the knee is gone, he said, and he is riding the stationary bike and performing other exercises.

Eldred in right

After just two days of shagging flies, Brad Eldred made his debut in right field yesterday in the Pirates' 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field. And, on the only ball that made it his way, he made a running catch in right-center in the fifth.

"I was a little surprised they'd do it this quickly, but not too much," Eldred said. "Honestly, it's felt pretty comfortable out there."

At the plate, he went 3 for 4 with two doubles. He is batting .524 -- 11 for 21 -- with five walks this spring.

The Pirates are 3-7-1.

Maholm shakes it off

Paul Maholm, making his Grapefruit League debut, recovered from a three-run first inning -- including two hits and two walks to open the game -- with perfect second and third innings.

Maholm has been brought along slowly this spring -- he pitched only a B-game and two side sessions before this -- perhaps because he finished last season with a tender rotator cuff.

Other game highlights

Ian Snell followed Maholm with three perfect innings, lowering his ERA to 3.38.

Ronny Paulino homered for a second consecutive day, a two-run shot to left against New York starter Kei Igawa in the third inning. He singled and doubled, too, to go 3 for 3. He has six hits in his past eight at-bats.

Closer Salomon Torres gave up Eric Duncan's two-run home run in the ninth to break a 3-3 tie.

Buried treasure

Starter Masumi Kuwata has a mildly sprained left ankle but should not miss his next pitching assignment.

Reliever Jonah Bayliss threw a bullpen session in the morning and was cleared to do his first competitive pitching of the spring in a minor-league game Tuesday.

The Pirates assigned pitcher Serguey Linares to minor-league camp, leaving 59 in the main camp.

Tom Gorzelanny will make his first start today, against Cincinnati's Eric Milton in Sarasota.

Jason Bay is expected to play in the field for the first time today.