Hart is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Hart will get the start at first base in place of Pedro Alvarez. He will hit cleanup in Tuesday's batting order against Travis Wood, against whom Hart is 4-for-14 (.286) with three doubles in his career.

Hart struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance Friday against the Diamondbacks.

He started just one game since April 14 and has gone hitless in his last eight at-bats (mostly as a pinch-hitter). Hart's defense was rough at first base when he make his lone start, and the team seems to favor Sean Rodriguez's fielding skills at first over Hart's.

Hart will start in right field and bat fifth Tuesday against the Tigers.

Manager Clint Hurdle is rewarding Hart with his second start of the season after the slugger hit a two-run dinger Monday afternoon. PNC Park features one of the smallest right field areas in the big leagues, making it possible for Hart and his chronic knee pain to play there.

Hart delivered a pinch-hit, two-run homer Monday against the Tigers.

He's made the most of his six at-bats, collecting three hits and four RBI. Hart is expected to start at first base when Pittsburgh faces left-handed pitching, but so far the Bucs have seen all righties through seven games. Pedro Alvarez has been hot, so Hart isn't even a lock to face southpaws, giving manager Clint Hurdle's penchant of sticking with the hot hitter.

Hart will make his season debut at first base Saturday against his former team in Milwaukee, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

He singled in his only plate appearance as a pinch-hitter in Cincinnati, but has yet to play the field. Hart, who spent parts of nine seasons with the Brewers, will bat sixth for the Bucs.

Hart was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Phillies, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

He was originally penciled in to play, but Pedro Alvarez will instead start at first base. The team gave no word of an injury, but his absence throws up at least a little red flag.

Hart debuted in right field Monday and made a fine running catch of a James Loney fly ball, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

He has shown good athleticism in the field, snaring a line drive while playing first base Saturday. A healthy Hart and a return to the NL Central might jumpstart his career, but it would be unwise to count on him for a full season of at-bats, given his cranky knees.

Despite playing in only four games, manager Clint Hurdle said Friday that Hart has won a spot on the team, according Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Bucs fully expect Hart to platoon with Pedro Alvarez at first base. It's realistic to believe that the 10th-year veteran might surprise fantasy owners to the upside, but Hart's balky knee can temper the enthusiasm. At the least, the power hitter makes for an end-game pickup.

After missing the last week of action, Hart (foot) took part in a "B" game Monday and went 0-for-3, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

While he's recovered from slicing his foot in a hot tub, Hart will look to keep his troublesome knees healthyin 2015. "I don't have a lot of cartilage in my right knee. My left knee is fine," Hart said. "I feel like (microfracture) definitely benefited me. Last year it took almost the whole offseason to (heal). This year I feel strong." The Pirates are hoping Hart can form a platoon with Pedro Alvarez at first base and see occasional action in the outfield.

Hart (foot) took grounders Thursday and is eyeing Monday as a potential return date, Tom Singer of MLB.com reports.

Hart cut his foot on a hot tub earlier in the week, but appears to be nearing a return to the field. He figures to serve as the backup at first base in 2015 behind Pedro Alvarez, but could see some starts if Alvarez struggles.

Hart got three stitches Sunday after slicing his foot on a hot tub and will miss a few days, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports.

This is as cliche as spring training injuries get, but fortunately it was not as serious as some other pool/sprinkler/cactus related injuries in recent memory. Hart should enter the season on the short end of a semi-platoon with Pedro Alvarez at first base, and could see his playing time tick up if Alvarez goes through a slump at some point.

Hart's playing time in 2015 will be primarily tied to how well Pedro Alvarez adapts to a new position at first base, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle also expects Hart to see at-bats as a pinch-hitter, through double switches and sparingly as an outfielder. Hart, who has undergone surgery to both knees, understands that he's no longer an everyday player. "I just want to stay healthy," he said. "This is my first year in a while that I'm not a starter coming into spring training. I kind of felt it coming. My body's just not there to play 162 games."

The Pirates expect Hart to platoon with Pedro Alvarez at first base and serve as a right-handed bat off the bench, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle believes Hart's playing time -- which could also include time in the outfield -- will be closely linked to the health of his surgically-repaired knees. "I know the kid can play outfield," Hurdle said. "We've seen him play the outfield. We've also seen him post up at first base. We've seen the work he's done in the batter's box." Hart batted .203 with six homers in 68 games for the Mariners and battled knee problems throughout the season.

Hart agreed to a one-year contract with the Pirates on Friday.

Hart will head to Pittsburgh after spending last season with the Mariners. He figures to platoon with Pedro Alvarez at first base and could see some spot action in the outfield.

Hart declined his outright assignment from the Mariners and will become a free agent, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The club designated Hart for assignment last week after activating Jesus Montero from the suspended list. As expected, Hart declined the assignment and will hit free agency this offseason. The 32-year-old Hart played in only 68 games this season, battling hamstring and knee injuries for much of the year.

Hart was designated for assignment Monday, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

With Seattle needing to clear room on the 40-man after activating Jesus Montero from the suspended list, Hart, a pending free agent, was designated for assignment. He'll be subject to waivers this offseason.

Hart went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in his return to the lineup Wednesday.

While Hart was activated from the 15-day DL when rosters expanded Monday, Wednesday marked his first game action since that time. The home run was Hart's sixth of the year, and it stood as the game-winner against Oakland starter Jon Lester.

Hart (knee) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday.

Hart will give the Mariners another option at first base and at the designated hitter spot for the remainder of the season. While he likely won't see everyday work like he did at the beginning of the season, it wouldn't be surprising if he saw a good chunk of playing time.

Hart (knee) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, going 0-for-3 at the plate.

Hart will require at least a couple more games with Tacoma, after he missed the previous three weeks of action due to a bruised right knee. The Mariners figure to bring him back from the DL when rosters expand in September, but since he's only on a one-year contract and batting .203/.278/.314 on the season, don't expect the Mariners to give him regular at-bats.

Hart (knee), who was placed on the disabled list Saturday, hopes to return for the final month of the season, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. "I know we've only got two months left," he said, "so I would love to make sure I get back and be competitive for the last month. But I want to be competitive. I don't want to come back and be doing what I've been doing."

Hart's quote is the glass half-full way of saying that he'll be out for longer than the minimum 15 days. The injury was merely diagnosed as a bruise, but his knees have been a constant issue since last season. Hart's absence could leave more at-bats for Chris Denorfia, Logan Morrison and Endy Chavez.