David Freese will make his spring training debut Thursday, batting third and serving as the Bucs' designated hitter, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Freese will make his spring training debut Thursday, batting third and serving as the Bucs' designated hitter against the Yankees, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Analysis:

Freese is expected to start at third base in April while Jung-Ho Kang (knee) recovers from surgery. After Kang returns, the Pirates will move Freese into a first-base platoon with John Jaso, though the organization has had a difficult time converting position players into first basemen in recent years.