BRADENTON, Fla. — Jose Hernandez is hoping his second stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates is better than his first.

The Pirates acquired Hernandez from the Chicago Cubs as part of a five-player trade in July 2003. In a move to cut payroll, the Pirates dealt two starting players, third baseman Aramis Ramirez and center fielder Kenny Lofton for a three-player package that included Hernandez.

Hernandez hit .223 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 58 games for the Pirates after the trade, then was released less than a week after the season ended. It ended a rough year in which Hernandez played for the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs and the Pirates.

"That was probably the toughest season of my career," Hernandez said. "I was with three different teams and had three different hitting coaches. I didn't swing the bat well all year and it seemed like once I got into a rut that I could never pull out of it.

"I just didn't play the way I was capable of playing. I felt bad about it. The people in Pittsburgh were great and I really liked it there. I just wish it would have worked out better."

Hernandez is getting a second chance in Pittsburgh after reviving his career in 2004 with the Los Angeles Dodgers under Jim Tracy, now the Pirates' manager. Hernandez hit .289 with 13 homers and 29 RBIs in 95 games that year. He batted .231 with six homers and 31 RBIs in 84 games with Cleveland Indians last season.

"I just felt this was the best situation for me," Hernandez said. "They know me here and I also thought there was a good opportunity in Pittsburgh."

The Pirates' decision for the last spot on their bench figures to come down to Hernandez and rookie infielder Yurendell DeCaster, who hit 17 home runs in 209 at-bats in the Venezuela Winter League this past offseason.

Hernandez has the versatility to be a utility player; he has played every position except pitcher and catcher in his career. Last year with the Indians, he made 41 starts at first base, 17 at third base, three at second base, three in left field and one in right field.

"I try to work on a different position every day to stay sharp, either taking ground balls or fly balls during batting practice," Hernandez said. "I take pride in being able to play a lot of positions and I know that's what going to keep me in the game at this stage of my career."

Notes The Pirates had their only off day of the exhibition season Tuesday. They return to action Wednesday when they play the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla. ... The Pirates have a 9-5 record this spring, including three wins in the last four games.