BRADENTON, Fla. -- The usually low-profile Pittsburgh Pirates have had two instances of public griping this week, and manager Lloyd McClendon isn't happy.

On Monday, outfielder Derek Bell was quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as saying he was going on 'Operation Shutdown' after being told he has to compete with Armando Rios and Craig Wilson for the starter's job in right field.

Bell hit .173 with five homers and 13 RBI last year and did not play after July 3 because of a strained hamstring.

The Pirates went 62-100 last season, tying Tampa Bay for the worst record in baseball. Bell, with a $9.75 million, two-year contract, became a lighting rod for criticism.

Now right-hander Pat Rapp says he is upset about how he has been used during the exhibition season after signing a minor league contract with the Pirates shortly before spring training.

Rapp came into spring training among 11 candidates vying for five spots in the starting rotation. The Pirates appear to have settled on left-handers Jimmy Anderson, Ron Villone and Dave Williams and right-hander Kip Wells as four of the starters.

That leaves Rapp to battle with right-handers Josh Fogg and Sean Lowe for the remaining spot.

Rapp got his first start of the exhibition season Wednesday and was hit hard by the New York Yankees, giving up six runs, three earned, in three innings.

Rapp said he has not been given the playing time he needs. He has made four appearances with his first start on Wednesday and has an 8.71 ERA in 10 1-3 innings this spring.

"I thought I was coming here to get a chance, that they weren't completely happy with their starting pitchers because they were either always hurt or too young," Rapp said. "I don't know what to think now. I have no idea what is going on or what is going to happen."

McClendon did not hesitate to fire back.

"Usually, people who make excuses are losers," he said.

Bell has since backed down from his earlier remarks but said he is not looking forward to the home opener against Cincinnati.

"I don't know if I can go back to Pittsburgh because I don't have any friends there now," he said. "Everyone there is mad at me. I won't have any fans at home, and I won't have any on the road. I'm going to be a lonely man."

Bell probably won't play for two weeks after an MRI exam Thursday revealed a strained groin. He said criticism following his remarks has been unfair.

"Everything has kind of gotten out blown out of proportion," he said. "I didn't mean what I said to come out the way it did."

McClendon said there will be at least one comparison between the team this year and last season.

"We lost 100 games last year but we never made excuses," McClendon said. "We took our beatings like a man. We're not going to start making excuses around here now."