Clint Barmes is not in the Pirates' starting lineup Wednesday against the Nationals. Barmes went 0-for-3 with a strikeout on Tuesday and is now hitting just .159/.196/.307 across 94 plate appearances, so he could probably use the breather. Josh Harrison will start in his place at shortstop Wednesday and bat eighth against left-hander Ross Detwiler. Rod Barajas, who hit a walkoff homer Tuesday, slides up to the seventh spot.

Clint Barmes went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals. Both hits were doubles, giving him six on the season. He also committed his sixth error at shortstop. Despite batting only .173, he is showing some signs of life, and the Pirates have little choice but to remain patient with their big offseason signee.

Clint Barmes went 3-for-3 including a home run to help lead the Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the Rockies on Tuesday. Barmes had really struggled to start the season, hitting just .089 going into the game Tuesday. His solo home run off of Matt Belisle was his second of the season, and tied the game at four in the eighth inning. While he'll never be confused for an offensive dynamo, and shouldn't be owned in most mixed leagues, he deserves credit for a sold effort in this one.

Clint Barmes notched another 0-for-3 performance in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Cardinals. He is now batting 4-for-45 (.089), and also has committed four errors in 14 games. In other words, the veteran has been both an offensive and defensive liability for the Pirates thus far. The organization made him the highest paid player on the team after signing him to a two-year, $10.5 million contract this offseason. He has a long way to go to earn that money.

Clint Barmes went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Tuesday's loss and is still without a hit in four games this season. The Pirates went for defense and leadership in signing Rod Barajas and Barmes over the winter, but they added a lot of outs to the bottom of the lineup in the process. The two are a combined 1-for-26 so far this season.

Clint Barmes went 2-for-4 with a couple of runs scored in Thursday's loss to the Rays. He also stole his first base. Barmes is enjoying a solid .346/.370/.462 batting line. But bear in mind that he is a career .252 hitter, and that this is only spring training.

Pirates signed SS Clint Barmes to a two-year, $10.5 million contract. Barmes passed his physical Monday in Pittsburgh, thus making the deal official. The 32-year-old is expected to start at shortstop for the Pirates in 2012 after batting .244/.312/.386 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI in 123 games this past year for Houston. He's not much of a fantasy option.

SI.com's Jon Heyman hears that Clint Barmes will get a two-year, $11 million contract to take over as Pittsburgh's shortstop. Two key signings, two below average hitters for Pittsburgh. Barmes rates as an above average defensive shortstop and he does have some pop in his bat, but he's always been awfully OBP challenged. He's pretty much the shortstop equivalent of Rod Barajas.

The Pirates have emerged as the favorite to land free agent shortstop Clint Barmes. Barmes, 32, batted .244/.312/.386 with 12 homers, 39 RBI, and a .698 OPS, and would be an immediate upgrade over current starter Chase d'Arnaud. The Giants and Brewers have also been linked to the Type B free agent, with a two-year deal considered likely.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin plans to meet with Clint Barmes' agent, Barry Meister, on Wednesday. Yet another possibility for shortstop. Barmes, who turns 33 in March, batted .244/.312/.386 with 12 homers, 39 RBI and a .698 OPS this season and would be an upgrade over Yuniesky Betancourt defensively. The Brewers have also had discussions with the agents for Rafael Furcal and Jose Reyes.