Five observations from the final day of Pirates minicamp on Thursday:
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Next up: Spring training.
The Pirates concluded their four-day minicamp in chilly conditions as temperatures were in the mid-50s, following three picture-perfect days at Pirate City.
Now, the countdown to spring training begins. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 13 and the rest of the squad Feb. 18.
"You can really feel the season coming now," assistant general manager Greg Smith said as he watched Thursday's workout.
The roster is unlikely to significantly change during the next month, though. Neal Huntington would be amenable to acquiring a proven major league shortstop and relief-pitching depth. They have added infielder Erik Gonzalez, outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall and right-hander Jordan Lyles this offseason, while dumping Ivan Nova's salary in a trade with the White Sox.
2. Gregory Polanco did not begin a throwing program this week as he had hoped. The Pirates want to be extra careful to avoid rushing Polanco after he swung a bat for the first time Monday since undergoing surgery in October to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
3. Chris Archer took a walk in the outfield during Thursday’s workout. It was no ordinary walk, though, as he dragged a weighted sled behind him. That is part of the program as Archer rehabs from bilateral hernia surgery performed in November.
4, Special assistant to baseball operations Gary Varsho is a proud father as his son Daulton has been invited to major league spring training as a non-roster player by the Diamondbacks. Daulton Varsho was drafted in the second round in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Gary Varsho was an outfielder with the Pirates from 1991-92 and again in 1994.
5. You've got to be a diehard fan to watch minicamp. So kudos, to use a Jim Tracy word, to the group of 8-12 fans that showed up each of the four days to watch primarily minor leaguers go through fielding drills and batting practice.