BRADENTON, Fla. (93-7 THE FAN) — After stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and, last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks, lefthander Mike Zagurski is trying to win a spot in the Pirates’ bullpen.

As we mentioned earlier, with a name like Zagurski, not to mention his rather portly physique, the 6’0″, 240 pound lefty has a chance to be a cult hero in Pittsburgh, but first he has to make the Pirates and so far so good.

In four appearances this Grapefruit League season, Zagurski has been perfect. Twelve batters up, 12 batters down.

“It’s going good so far,” Zagurski says. “I’ve been able to get ahead of guys and the breaking ball has been a little better.

“Just trying to get better every time out,” adds Zagurski, who has struck out 7 of the last 8 batters he’s faced. “It’s been a nice progression.”

Of course, one thing Zagurski hasn’t done is something he’ll have to do in the regular season – pitch with runners on base.

“It’ll come with time,” Zagurski says. “Pitchers will reach their pitch counts and they’ll have to come out in the middle of innings.”

As for Zagurski’s chances of making the team?

“I don’t know; it’s a little early to start putting rosters together.”

Yet he’s been here a month.

“It’s been a long spring,” says Zagurski who hopes his stint with the Pirates lasts a lot longer.