Joe Beimel was scratched from throwing Sunday due to a sore left elbow.

It should only sidelined the reliever for a couple of days. Beimel is in camp under a minor league agreement, but he probably has a spot locked up in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. He has plenty of time to catch back up.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Joe Beimel already has a roster spot locked up.

Beimel turned down major league offers from other teams to sign a minor league deal with the Pirates. It had basically been a formality that he'd make the team, but Hurdle has removed any doubt and envisions him as more than just a lefty specialist. "We didn't go get (Beimel) to try him out," Hurdle said. "We wanted to have a left-handed option who can bridge innings for us. I believe Joe's going to be much more than a left-on-left guy. He's got the arsenal to do that, so he's going to play a significant role."

Pirates signed LHP Joe Beimel to a minor league contract.

He receives an invite to spring training and is a near-lock to make the major league roster. If he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, the deal includes an out-clause that allows the option for free agency. Beimel spurned major league deals elsewhere to return to his native Pennsylvania. He was 1-2 with a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio in 71 games with the Rockies in 2010. Beimel will most likely team up with Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan at the back end of Pittsburgh's bullpen.

Joe Beimel accepted a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Pirates, spurning a two-year major league contract offer from another team, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes is reporting.

Beimel had other major league contract offers on the table as well, according to Dierkes. Beimel's deal, according to the report, includes a clause that allows the southpaw to become a free agent if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster. Of course, he's a heavy favorite to make the team and play a major role in the bullpen as a reliable left-hander. Beimel, a Pennsylvania native, posted a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio over 45 innings with the Rockies in 2010.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post confirms that Joe Beimel will sign with the Pirates.

The signing could be announced as soon as tomorrow. According to Renck, Beimel was lured by a number of factors, including his family in Pennsylvania, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and the promise of a big role with the club. The Pirates aren't going to win anything this season, but it sounds like a good fit for him.

John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus hears there's a "very good chance" that Joe Beimel will sign with the Pirates.

It sounds like the Pirates may be that unnamed National League team mentioned by Evan Drellich of MLB.com early Thursday. Perhaps they are willing to offer him a major league deal, something the Orioles and Red Sox were unlikely to do. The Pirates could certainly use a reliable left-hander in their bullpen. Beimel, a Pennsylvania native, posted a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio over 45 innings with the Rockies in 2010.

According to Evan Drellich of MLB.com, Joe Beimel has narrowed his choices to the Red Sox, Orioles and a National League team.

"We've got it narrowed it down to three teams -- hoping to make a decisions as soon as possible, which means perhaps today," said Beimel's agent Joe Sroba, who added that the deal could also happen "tomorrow or the next day, barring any big changes." The most likely scenario is that Beimel is deciding between minor league contracts. The 33-year-old southpaw posted a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio across 45 innings with the Rockies last season.

Alex Speier of WEEI.com hears from a team source that it's "doubtful" that the Red Sox would sign another pitcher to a major league contract this offseason.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that five teams are in the mix for Joe Beimel, including the Red Sox. It's unclear whether the club's stance will have a significant impact, as the only known offer on the table is a minor league deal from the Orioles. Beimel could reportedly make a decision in the next few days.

According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have offered left-hander Joe Beimel a minor league contract.

But they aren't alone in their interest. Connolly writes that the Orioles are one of five teams in the mix for his services, including the Red Sox. Beimel, who turns 34 in April, compiled a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio over 45 innings with the Rockies last season. A source tells Connolly that the left-hander could make a decision this week.

Joe Beimel told Troy Renck of the Denver Post that he has "several irons in the fire," but that the Rockies are not involved.

It's not clear which teams may be involved, but the Rockies are apparently confident enough to move forward with left-handers Matt Reynolds and Franklin Morales in their bullpen. Beimel, who turns 34 in April, had a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio over 45 innings last season.

During an appearance on MLB Network Radio on Thursday, free agent reliever Joe Beimel said that he has received "a few offers."

"I've got quite a few teams interested right now, got a few offers," said Beimel. "I'm willing to be patient like I have in the past, but this year doesn't seem like I have to with all the interest." Beimel added that he has been in contact with the Rockies, but that they aren't one of the teams showing "a significant amount" of interest. Beimel, who turns 34 in April, posted a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio over 45 innings this past season.

According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Marlins are discussing left-handers Joe Beimel and J.C. Romero.

The Marlins have already acquired southpaws Dustin Richardson and Mike Dunn this winter, but they apparently aren't done. Beimel posted a 3.40 ERA and 21/15 K/BB ratio over 45 innings with the Rockies this past season while Romero tallied a 3.68 ERA and 28/29 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings with the Phillies. Frisaro notes that Ron Mahay is also a possibility, while Will Ohman is not expected to return.

Looming free agent Joe Beimel said returning to the Rockies is his "first choice."

Beimel has been a solid situational lefty the last few years, but the Rockies have Matt Reynolds ready and Rex Brothers on the horizon, so they could elect to go with a youth movement from the left side in the bullpen.

The Red Sox have sent out feelers on left-handed relievers Joe Beimel and Sean Burnett, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

The Sox have deemed the Rockies' asking price for Beimel as too high. It's clear that Boston desires some bullpen help for the stretch run, as they are also interested in trading Manny Delcarmen, but for another reliever.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rockies are willing to trade either Joe Beimel or Randy Flores.

The Denver Post's Troy Renck has said the same thing, though he adds that Beimel would be significantly more expensive. Flores could likely be had for a lesser prospect.

Rockies recalled LHP Joe Beimel from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Beimel inked a minor league contract with the Rockies late in spring training and didn't log enough innings to crack the Opening Day roster. He'll serve as a lefty specialist in Colorado from here on out.

Joe Beimel, who was signed to a minor league contract in March, is scheduled to report to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

"When I sat with Joe Beimel in Albuquerque to tell him that we needed him to go to Triple-A and pitch a few more times, Joe didn't agree with me and told me so," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "I'm fine with that. I explained my reasoning for it and he said to me, 'Trace, I don't agree with it, but I'm going to do it.' And I said to him, 'The fact that you don't agree with it, you're allowed to do that with me.'" It might not be too long before he's back with the big club. Randy Flores, the team's designated left-handed specialist, has struggled thus far, including giving up a game-winning double to Jody Gerut on Wednesday.