CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jack Wilson was so excited to be back in the lineup Thursday that he forgot to pack his uniform top for the Pittsburgh Pirates' road game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The oversight meant that Wilson had to wear No. 96 during the Pirates' 8-5 loss, and he expects that the oversight will mean a fine - but he's not complaining.

"I haven't needed to pack a jersey," said Wilson. "I'm sure I'll have a nice little bill in my locker. But I had an all right game, so I might keep this one."

Because of right shoulder and right forearm problems, Wilson has spent more time in the training room than on the playing field this spring. He has appeared in only seven of the first 17 exhibition games, missing two chunks of games because of his injuries.

Although Wilson was concerned about his absence from the lineup, Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon wasn't worried. He thought Wilson was being overly cautious about his injury and expected his shortstop to be ready for the April 5 season opener.

"I keep telling you guys that Jack is fine," McClendon said. "He's pulled the wool over all of your eyes."

Wilson's start Thursday was his first since he made two throwing errors against the Cincinnati Reds. Against the Phillies, he handled three ground balls and made two throws across the infield without incident. He also was 2 for 3 with a walk and stolen base.

"It felt all right," Wilson said. "It's still sore just from getting back out there and making more throws than usual. It's just a matter of getting back in shape. I'm excited to be back out there. I'm sick of watching."

Wilson hurt his shoulder while lifting weights in the early stages of camp. He played in the first two games this spring, but took himself out of the lineup when the injury began affecting his throwing. Wilson returned a week later, but was limited to two starts when his throwing difficulties resurfaced.

After the two-error game, Wilson sat dejectedly in front of his locker and said he was doing more harm than good by playing. He said the pain had shifted from his shoulder to his forearm.

"It's definitely a concern to me," Wilson said. "I've never been afraid to do anything. Being afraid of throwing the ball hard is not a good thing when you're a shortstop. I'm holding back. I don't trust to throw hard right now. I go to load up and in the back of my mind I'm not letting it go."

Those comments surprised McClendon, who said Wilson's poor game was nothing new.

"It's the same old Jack," McClendon said. "He has to get in a groove. Every spring he struggles with his fielding and throwing."

On Thursday, McClendon took another playful jab at Wilson, who detailed his injuries in a spring training column he is writing for a Pittsburgh newspaper.

"He doesn't have a future as a writer," McClendon said.