FORT MYERS, Fla. — Outfielder Michael Ryan didn't do anything to play himself off the Pittsburgh Pirates' roster.

Maybe that's why general manager Dave Littlefield suggested Ryan could be getting a phone call sometime early in the season that welcomes him back to the Pirates.

Ryan, an Indiana, Pa., native, had an excellent spring offensively and defensively with a .396 average, nine RBI and a series of excellent defensive plays as a nonroster player. He couldn't have played much better, but was reassigned to the minor league camp Tuesday along with catcher Einar Diaz, who hit .412 in only 17 at-bats.

Right-handed reliever Josh Sharpless was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, meaning the Pirates must cut seven more players to reach the 25-man opening day limit. That includes nonroster right-hander Masumi Kuwata, who badly injured his right ankle while colliding with an umpire on Monday and is out indefinitely.

Ryan, who played in 127 games with the Twins from 2002-05, knew he was a longshot to make the opening day roster, but Littlefield said he made an impression.

"He's on the radar, and I'm confident that as the season rolls on and we need players because of injuries or performance changes, he will certainly be a strong candidate," Littlefield said. "He's done an excellent job in spring training and I would anticipate we'll see him in Pittsburgh at some point."

The left-handed hitting Ryan's demotion may clear a roster spot for outfielder Nate McLouth, who played his way onto the club with a strong spring training last year but missed the final month-and-a-half of the season with an injured ankle.

However, the Pirates could decide to keep the left-handed hitting Ryan Doumit, a catcher who also can play first base and the outfield, as a bench player rather than McLouth. Nonroster outfielder Luis Matos and power-hitting Brad Eldred also appear to be competing for a bench position.

Nonroster infielders Don Kelly, a Pittsburgh-area native, and Jose Hernandez, who has played for manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers and Pirates, also may be competing for a spot.

With Sharpless gone, four right-handed relievers appear to be competing for the final two jobs in the bullpen: Dan Kolb, Marty McLeary, John Wasdin and Jonah Bayliss. Right-handers Shawn Chacon, Matt Capps and Salomon Torres and left-handers Damaso Marte and Juan Perez appear to be solid, with Perez replacing the injured John Grabow (left elbow) until Grabow is ready. Bayliss (1.80 ERA in five innings pitched) also figures to make the club.

Sharpless, 26, had a 2.08 ERA in eight games with Pittsburgh this spring and had a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings pitched in 14 Pirates games last season.

"But I felt this was coming," Sharpless said. "My fastball, for me, isn't there yet. I've had no idea where it was going. I need to go down and throw strikes."