Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez's shoulder, which was surgically repaired in September, is keeping him from playing the field during spring training.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Freddy Sanchez saw those two dreaded initials following his name on the Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup card again Thursday: DH, as in designated hitter.

Sanchez, the 2006 NL batting champion, long ago proved he could hit in the majors. A slow-to-heal right shoulder is preventing him from playing in the field, and he isn't sure when he will be ready.

There's nothing wrong with Sanchez's bat as he singled, hit a sacrifice fly and drove in two runs during the Pirates' 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, which ended on Andrew McCutchen's two-run single in the ninth.

Sanchez, who had arthroscopic surgery in late September, still can't make the routine throws needed to play second base, a worry with the season now 3Z\x weeks away.

"I went out and threw about 60 feet today, not much," Sanchez said. "I'm doing what they tell me to do. I'm doing a little throwing program here and see if that's going to help. But I don't know where I am as far as game-wise or when I can be back or anything like that."

Sanchez began last season on the disabled list because of a knee injury that occurred a year ago Thursday and severely limited his exhibition game at-bats.

"I'm a guy who needs a lot of work in spring training," Sanchez said. "At least this year I can get my at-bats against live pitching, and that's the biggest key: getting my at-bats. Last year I wasn't able to get my at-bats in, which was frustrating."

Manager John Russell insists he isn't worried, saying, "There's no reason to push it and risk a setback. He's making progress, taking plenty of groundballs. I don't see any rush to get him there."

Sanchez understands the value of an uninterrupted, injury-free camp. Two years ago, he hit .344, the highest average by a Pirates everyday player since Roberto Clemente's .345 in 1969. He dropped to .304 last year, an average dragged down partly because he hit .224 in April following his injury-stalled March.

When Sanchez underwent the 15-minute procedure to correct a joint problem, he was told he needed only six to eight weeks to regain total strength in his shoulder. That was 22 weeks ago.

"I just thought I needed to strengthen it and keep going, but it's not cooperating," he said.