PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

David Freese, Pirates

The 33-year-old has proved to be a fine insurance policy for Pittsburgh while starting third baseman Jung Ho Kang remains in his native South Korea, waiting to obtain a work visa after receiving a two-year suspended sentence March 2 for driving under the influence. Freese, meanwhile, got off to a blistering start, hitting .440 with a .576 on-base percentage, a .760 slugging percentage and two home runs in his first nine games.