Burres pitching well this spring

Brian Burres could be making a push for the No. 5 starter’s job. He’s thrown nine scoreless innings this spring and has allowed just five hits with four walks and five strikeouts. Burres, a non-roster invite, went 4-5 with a 4.99 ERA in 13 starts (20 appearances) with the Pirates last season. In his final seven games, Burres had a 1.89 ERA.

“I’ve been feeling really good this spring,” Brian Burres told FSN Pittsburgh after Thursday’s outing.” It’s kind of being showing on the mound. I’m just hoping to continue to pitch well when I get the chance to get out on the mound.”

On what’s been working well for Burres this spring: “Getting ahead. Trying to keep the ball down. Really just trying to be as aggressive as I can in the zone.”

On the effect of pitching coach Ray Searage: “Ray really helped me last year, in September. I was really excited to find out that he was going to be the pitching coach this year. You got to know yourself but it really does help when you get along with your pitching coach as well as I get along with Ray.”

When asked if Burres would rather be a starter or a reliever he said, “Wherever I can fit in and help the team is where I like to be.”