2B Alen Hanson made his first start of the season Saturday against the Cubs. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. The speedster racked up 71 stolen bases over his past two seasons in the minor leagues.

2B Alen Hanson went 1-for-3 and stole a pair of bases while helping turn two double plays. Hanson, who became the fourth Pirate to log a multiple-steal game, has the speed to make things happen on the bases. He was named the organization's fastest baserunner and best athlete by one publication, and if he can hit enough to stick next spring, could add an interesting element to the roster.

INF Alen Hanson was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. In 110 Triple-A games this season, Hanson batted .266 with 15 doubles, seven triples, eight home runs, 32 RBI and 36 stolen bases. He went 1-for-2 in three games with Pittsburgh in May.

INF/OF Alen Hanson was returned to Triple-A Indianapolis with OF Starling Marte back from the paternity list. In his three-day call-up Hanson got his first major league hit and was a pinch-runner. "It was extremely small," manager Clint Hurdle said of sample size. "We had some positive conversations. The importance of being here -- seeing it, feeling it, smelling it, touching it, getting engaged in a game, getting to the plate twice, running the bases, working out on the field. I really encouraged him to take this short experience and use it as (motivation) to get back here."

INF Alen Hanson was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

INF Alen Hanson was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

INF/OF Alen Hanson got his first major league hit with a pinch-hit single off Braves LHP Bud Norris in the fifth inning. Hanson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday when LF Starling Marte went on the paternity list. Hanson made his debut that night, striking out as a pinch hitter.

INF/OF Alen Hanson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and made his major league debut by striking out as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. He is expected to stay with the Pirates only until LF Starling Marte is activated from paternity leave. Hanson, 23, hit .288 with two homers, 10 RBIs and seven steals in 27 games for Indianapolis. This is his first call-up to the major leagues.

INF/OF Alen Hanson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. Hanson, 23, hit .288 with two home runs, 10 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 27 games for Indianapolis.

INF Alen Hanson could begin the season on the major league roster yet it would not be a surprise if the Pirates had no rookies when they open April 3 against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Hanson, 23, hit .263 with six homers and 35 stolen bases in 117 games at Indianapolis.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington gave no indication that the team would recall Hanson at the end of the Triple-A season.

Speaking on his Sunday radio show, Huntington was asked directly if Hanson was on the radar and he responded by mentioning Pedro Florimon and Tony Sanchez. Hanson is slashing .263/.313/.387 in 475 at-bats but his 35 steals could help the big club.

Hanson has been placed on the temporary inactive list at Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports.

Hanson could potentially be a September call-up for Pittsburgh, but given their infield depth, it's hard to see where he would get playing time. Barring a trade, it could be frustrating to own Hanson in dynasty leagues over the next year or so, as there is not an obvious avenue to playing time as long as Neil Walker (signed through 2016) is on the roster.

Hanson began working out at third base with Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The Pirates likely weren't expecting to ponder the thought of calling up Hanson until rosters expanded in September, but those plans may have been altered with both Josh Harrison (thumb) and Jordy Mercer (sprained knee) both out for multiple weeks. The latter injury will at least temporarily force Sean Rodriguez into a regular role at third base, leaving the Pirates will little depth on the left side of the infield. Hanson is viewed as the eventual successor to Neil Walker at second base, but after previously playing shortstop in the minors, Hanson will try his hand at third base in attempt to showcase his versatility to the big club. The 22-year-old's bat appears to be close to big-league ready, as he's sitting on a .286/.332/.421 to go along with 25 steals across his 354 plate appearances this season at Indianapolis.

Hanson (pinky) celebrated his return from the disabled list Wednesday by going 3-for-4 with his fifth homer of the year for Triple-A Indianapolis.

He's hitting .292./335/.442 with 19 stolen bases and is in line for a September callup. Hanson is still just 22 years of age but already has 2187 career minor-league at-bats to his credit. He could see regular duty for the Bucs as soon as 2016.

Hanson was placed on the 7-Day DL with a fractured left pinky, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The injury resulted from a dive and is an avulsion fracture, which is less serious than a traditional fracture. "It's not a four-to-six weeks, it's more a 10-to-14 days type thing," Pirates director of minor league operations Larry Broadway said.

Hanson was named the International League Player of the Month after batting .362 with 16 extra-base hits in May for Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Hanson became the first Indianapolis player to claim Player of the Month since May 2005, when pitcher Zach Duke achieved the feat. The 22-year-old shortstop could parlay his success at Triple-A into a promotion to the big leagues later in the season, though he probably won't have a shot at pushing for a regular role in the infield until 2016.

The Pirates sent Hanson to minor league camp Thursday.

Hanson appeared in seven spring games, going 4-for-10. He's likely one of the first middle infielders Pittsburgh would recall in the event of injury. Although he was benched twice last summer for a reported lack of hustle, the infielder hit .280/.326/.442 with 11 homers and 25 stolen bases.

Hanson expects to play mostly at second base over shortstop in 2015. "I'm working more at second base (because) the opportunity may be more open for me there," Hanson said. "I feel comfortable there. But if they need me at shortstop, I can play there, too," the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

There's been talk of Jung Ho Kang taking over for Neil Walker at second base as soon as next season, but Hanson is a strong contender for the potential spot, too. Hanson, who is still just 22 years of age, batted .280 with 11 homers, 25 stolen bases and a .768 OPS in 482 at-bats for Double-A Altoona in 2014. If he can prove he's past the maturity issues which saw him benched on separate occasions last year, then he could make his MLB debut at some point this summer should injuries strike.

Hanson finished the year batting .280 with 11 homers and 25 stolen bases.

After a fairly slow start, Hanson quietly had a rather solid year, hitting for quality average and decent power to go along with his MI speed. He doesn't walk much, which allows a few questions to remain about how well the offensive skills will play at the top level, but Hanson confirmed his prospect status with a good season at Double-AA.

Hanson was placed on the 7-day DL at Double-A Altoona with a hamstring injury, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The placement on the disabled list likely spells an end to Hansen's regular season, during which he batted .280 with 11 homers and 25 stolen bases over 482 at-bats. With Gregory Polanco graduating to the majors this season, Hansen will likely battle with Austin Meadows for the title of the Pirates' top position prospect entering 2015.