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Nicasio content to pitch out of Pirates' bullpen

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Juan Nicasio won't be the Pirates' Spring Training surprise this year. He's ready to pitch out of the bullpen.

"No more trying to be a starter," Nicasio said, smiling. "I'm pitching better in the bullpen. I think I can help the team more in the bullpen than starting."

When Nicasio came to camp last year, the expectation was that he'd wind up in the bullpen. But the veteran right-hander put together an incredible Spring Training, throwing one lights-out performance after another, and gave the Pirates little choice but to put him in the rotation over Ryan Vogelsong.