The Pirates have committed to keeping Brandon Inge on the roster. While Inge has made the team, he may have to begin the season on the disabled list due to lingering soreness in his right shoulder related to when he was hit by a pitch on March 14. The 35-year-old will function as a backup infielder once he's healthy.

Brandon Inge was scratched from the lineup Friday due to lingering soreness in his right shoulder blade. Inge originally suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch on March 14. It's not known how long he might be out. Inge is batting just .156/.206/.156 this spring as he tries to win a bench spot.

Brandon Inge went 0-for-2 on Thursday and is 3-for-22 with no extra-base hits as he attempts to win a spot on Pittsburgh's bench. Inge is coming back from right shoulder surgery, and it appears that he might not be 100 percent yet. It doesn't bode well for his chances of sticking. He can opt for free agency at the end of the month if he doesn't make the Pirates.

Brandon Inge will test out his surgically-repaired right shoulder in a split-squad game on Sunday. The veteran infielder is vying for a bench role with the Pirates this season, and needs to get into action quickly if he's to have any hope at cracking the Opening Day roster. Despite his inability to make consistent contact, his power and defensive versatility could play well off the bench.

Brandon Inge has a late-March opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Pirates. In other words, he can become a free agent if it appears unlikely that he's going to win a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster. Inge batted just .218/.275/.383 last season but slugged 12 home runs in 83 games. Pittsburgh has been missing that kind of pop on the bench.

Pirates signed INF Brandon Inge to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Inge batted just .218/.275/.383 between Detroit and Oakland in 2012 and would likely be used in a utility role if he cracks Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster. He is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder but should be ready to roll for Opening Day.

CBS Sports' Danny Knobler reports that Brandon Inge is close to signing a minor league contract with the Pirates. The deal will include an invitation to spring training. Inge is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder but should be fine to start the season. He batted just .218/.275/.383 between Detroit and Oakland in 2012 and would likely be used in a utility role if he cracks Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster.

Evan Drellich of MLB.com reports that Brandon Inge will soon sign a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Inge is deciding between two teams, though the identities of those clubs isn't known. The veteran infielder is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder but should be fine to start the season. He batted just .218/.275/.383 between Detroit and Oakland in 2012.

Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reports that Brandon Inge is "on the radar" of the Twins. The 35-year-old infielder hit .218/.275/.383 with 12 homers and 54 RBI in 83 games between the Tigers and Athletics in 2012 before shoulder surgery ended his season prematurely. He still plays above average defense and could be a solid addition to the Twins bench if healthy.

Athletics transferred 3B Brandon Inge from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. The move was made in order to free up a 40-man roster spot for Jeremy Accardo. Inge is done for the season following arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.