Alex Presley went 3-for-5 with a home run, double and three RBI on Monday, helping the Pirates edge the Brewers 9-8 in Milwaukee. Presley is now batting .294/.333/.464 to go along with 22 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and eight stolen bases through 226 plate appearances this season. He'll enter 2012 as an intriguing late-round flier in mixed leagues.

Alex Presley's ninth-inning triple was one of just two Pirates hits in a 1-0 loss to the Diamondbacks on Monday. Presley tripled off J.J. Putz with one out, nearly spoiling a masterful effort from Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy. The three-bagger was his sixth in just 183 at-bats this season. Batting .295/.340/.459 to go along with 18 extra-base hits, 16 RBI and eight stolen bases through just 45 games, Presley has very much made himself a part of the Bucs' 2012 plans.

Alex Presley went 3-for-4 with two triples, a walk and two runs scored Friday versus the Cubs. Presley is making a nice case for a starting spot alongside Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata in next year's Pirates outfield. He's batting .310 and slugging .491 threw 116 at-bats.

Alex Presley doubled and scored a run in Pittsburgh's loss to the Cardinals on Friday. Presley's first inning two-bagger was his only hit in five plate appearances. Playing very well before landing on the disabled list on July 25, Presley is worth a look in NL-only leagues if he's remained on your league's wire since being activated yesterday.

Pirates activated OF Alex Presley from the 15-day disabled list. Presley hasn't played since July 22 due to a left thumb contusion. He's starting in left field Thursday night against the Cardinals and should get significant playing time while Ryan Ludwick is on the disabled list. The 26-year-old was batting .333/.402/.494 with one home run, nine RBI, four stolen bases and an .896 OPS over 96 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Alex Presley (thumb) is getting closer to returning to the active roster. "He is still working through some issues of trust with that top hand -- the thumb -- getting it in play, getting the barrel out in front, letting the ball travel, get deep," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's got to take at least another step or two along those lines before we'd be ready to recall him here... Subconsciously, those can hinder you a little bit." Those comments from Hurdle came before Presley went 4-for-5 with three doubles Friday for Triple-A Indianapolis. He now has seven hits over his last three rehab games and should be activated in a matter of days.

Alex Presley (thumb) went 2-for-5 with a stolen base Saturday in a Triple-A rehab game. Presley was placed on the disabled list with a left thumb contusion in late July. He should be ready to go soon, but the Bucs' outfield is going to be quite crowded. The 26-year-old might not carry much fantasy value.

Alex Presley (thumb) will travel to the Pirates' spring training complex in Florida Sunday to begin his rehab. Presley has an injury to the webbing between his left thumb and index finger. He had been hoping to take batting practice Saturday, so it seems like he won't need much rehab work before going out on a rehab assignment. He should be back in mid-August if all goes well.

Alex Presley (thumb) hopes to take batting practice Saturday. Presley has been sidelined since the end of July with a bruised left thumb. He has been hitting off a tee this week and likely isn't far away from going out on a minor league rehab assignment. The 25-year-old outfielder was batting .333/.402/.494 with one home run and four stolen bases over 93 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Alex Presley (thumb) took swings off a tee on Monday. He could work his way up to taking batting practice before the end of the week. Presley has been out since late July with a bruised left thumb. He seems like to need a short rehab assignment before being activated.