Nicolas, if he makes the team, figures to join Sean Lawrence
as middle relievers for the Pirates. Dennis Santana is the closer and will be
set up by right-hander Isaac Mattson and left-hander Gregory Soto, a two-time
All-Star who was signed to a one-year, $7.75-million contract last month as a
free agent. Pittsburgh also acquired a second hard-throwing lefty, Mason
Montgomery, in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19.
