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PITTSBURGH -- Forgotten man Delwyn Young didn't have to be told that he wasn't a part of the Pirates master plan. His rare start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night was his first in 25 days, and that was all that he needed to know about his future in the organization.

But after Young was unable to land even a semi-regular job with the worst offense in the National League despite a torrid spring performance, he wasn't convinced that the situation would be better anywhere else. For that reason, the 28-year-old pinch-hitter had no expectations before the July 31 deadline.

"They say the grass is greener on the other side, but that's not always the case," Young said. "That's what I was told when I was in Los Angeles before I came here. Then you go somewhere else and find that it has as many weeds as the place you left behind."

Young had a .231 batting average in 63 games, 40 of which were came as either a pinch hitter or designated. Even though he had only 117 at-bats, his three home runs and 18 RBI both ranked sixth on the team.

"The only thing that I want to know is, how did I get stuck with an old man's job at my age?" he said. "I'm like hitter version of a closer I come in late in the game. It's an important role sometimes, but you want the chance to reach your potential. Every player wants that chance."

After brief trials at right field, second base and third base, Young could be a better fit in the American League, where the designated hitter position would increase his opportunities to play on a more regular basis.

"Sometimes too many options are a bad thing for a player," he said. "Then you don't get a chance to play and improve at one position. People say that I'm not a good defensive player, but how do they know for sure? I haven't been in one spot long enough to know."

DOUMIT IS LEFT OUT: The season-long struggles of Ryan Doumit against left-handers continued in the series opener, as a hitless performance dropped his average to.190 this season.

Among the 84 players that had at least 100 plate appearances against lefties in the major leagues, only the Los Angeles Angels' Hideki Matsui (.183) and Tampa Rays' Carlos Pena (.175) had worse marks.

"That has been his weaker side historically," manager John Russell said. "He has some pretty good games, but when the ball is down, he get's a little bit around it sometimes. We've seen some progress in certain games this year. It's just he's more comfortable at the other side of the plate. Occasionally, he'll kind of lock in at the right side, but it's just a little bit different approach."

Doumit felt the effects of a foul tip that struck him on his mask in the game. Rookie Erik Kratz replaced him behind the plate on Tuesday night.

ON THE MEND: Andrew McCutchen reported progress in his sprained right shoulder and held out hope that he would return to the line-up this weekend.

He took part in pre-game outfield drills but was instructed not to hit or throw until later in the week.

"I've never been injured, so I don't know how long it takes," McCutchen said. "But with the progress that I've made over the past couple of days, it kind of caught me by surprise. So hopefully, it will be sooner than later, sometime in the next day or so. We'll see what happens and go from there."

Rookie Jose Tabata took his place in center field in the second consecutive game.

VOTE FOR 'CUTCH: McCutchen, the Pirates organization and the city are among 14 major league groups that will compete for a $200,000 grant as part of the Pepsi Refresh program.

The project would provide the tools and support to cultivate an urban garden in Homewood.

Fans can cast their votes at www.mlb.com/PepsiRefresh until the Aug. 17 deadline.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: Eight Latin American players signed contracts with the team.

The list included second baseman Rodney Polonia, catcher Heriberto Figueroa, outfielders Yunior Aquiles and Miguel De Aza, and pitchers Cristian Henriquez, Yunior Montero, Melvin Rosario and Isaac Sanchez.

NEXT . . .: Randy Wolf (7-8) and Zach Duke (3-9) are the scheduled pitchers on Wednesday night (7:05, FSN, WPGB-FM).