Brandon

Lyon

Lyon has given up four homers in six innings over his last five outings while logging a 13.50 ERA, and manager Grady Little said his former closer is ''pressing.’' Lyon should be dropped in all leagues now that Byung-Hyun Kim is the closer in Boston.

Mike Timlin and Ramiro Mendoza will be the setup men. Kevin Tolar is the lefty specialist. Jason Shiell will be a psuedo-setup guy behind Mendoza if Mendoza remains ineffective, and Steve Woodard will be the primary long man. Phew, okay, good to have that settled. Oh, wait, Alan Embree and Robert Person will all be coming off the DL soon, and Bobby Howry is pitching well at Triple-A Pawtucket? Guess that means that nothing here is settled after all. In any case, Lyon and Fox should each be worth using for a while.

The tests will determine whether his sore elbow is the result of an irritated ulnar nerve. If it is nerve related, it could result in nerve transposition surgery, which would keep him out for at least the first month of the season.

There had been some concerns Lyon might need of a nerve transposition operation. That no longer appears likely, but Lyon will visit Dr. Lewis Yocum for a second opinion. Even if he’s cleared to resume throwing, he’ll probably open the season on the DL.

He’ll also have his UCL examined during the procedure to determine whether he needs Tommy John surgery.

Lyon will probably begin rehabbing in the minors before long. If he looks good, he could come off the disabled list and bump Todd Jones off the roster. If he struggles, he’ll probably remain on the DL until Sept. 1.

Lyon will visit Andrews on Monday, then hopes to begin a throwing program with an eye on returning later this month.

An MRI did not show a tear, but the test did reveal some fraying to the elbow ligament. Additional tests were done yesterday. If Lyon is found not to be healthy, the Pirates could seek another player from the Red Sox to complete the Scott Sauerbeck deal. Mike Lincoln is looking like the reliever to own in the Pirate bullpen.

The trade will stand, but it’s possible the Sox will come up with money or a player if they agree with Pittsburgh’s assessment about the status of Lyon’s right elbow.

What began with both GMs saying was a friendly negotiation that could be resolved without third-party help is turning ugly quickly. According to baseball sources, the Pirates have asked for either Freddy Sanchez or Double-A catcher Kelly Shoppach as compensation for Lyon. The Sanchez idea is laughable, but an indication of how strongly the Pirates feel about getting damaged goods, believing Lyon to be out at least a month.