Bell’s pop could bolster offense all season

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle hasn’t settled on a lineup yet, but he has a few ideas. He knows shortstop Jordy Mercer will hit eighth. The pitcher will bat ninth, albeit not when the Bucs begin the season with a designated hitter in Detroit on March 29. And Hurdle said he has first baseman Josh Bell “anchored” in the cleanup spot, where he spent most of his solid rookie season.