The Pirates plan to have Bell serve as a bench bat this weekend against the Cubs, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell is not in the lineup Friday and it sounds like he could stick on the bench Saturday and Sunday, as the Pirates reportedly want to wait until the break to evaluate their roster. With lefty Jon Lester due up for Chicago on Saturday, it's always possible the Pirates could reverse course and give Bell the nod over John Jaso at first base, but it sounds like a start this weekend for Bell is far from guaranteed.