One byproduct of the Pirates visiting Altoona for an exhibition game before the season is that the organization had to make a lot of decisions earlier than usual about minor league rosters this year.

The decisions were finalized Thursday, and they resulted in several Curve veterans returning to Double-A to start the season.

Outfielder Adalberto Santos was a late addition to the roster this week and will be back in Altoona after hitting .340 for the Curve last season.

First baseman Matt Curry led the Curve in home runs and RBIs last season, but he got caught up in a numbers game in Triple-A and will have to come back to Altoona to start the year.

The Mirror’s annual Inside Pitch preview tabloid appears in today’s edition. Because that publication had a Wednesday night deadline, and since the Pirates didn’t finalize the Curve roster untill Thursday, there are several differences listed on Altoona’s roster.

The roster listed here is the most up to date one for the Curve.

Pitchers named

James McDonald will start for the Pirates in Saturday’s exhibition game, while reliever Jason Grilli will start for the Curve.

Former Curve pitchers Justin Wilson, Jared Hughes and Tony Watson also are scheduled to pitch for the Curve team against the Pirates.