BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates' cutdown got to Derek Bell before he could go into "Operation Shutdown."

	Bell

Bell, one of the biggest free-agent failures ever, was released by the Pirates with one year left on his $9.75 million, two-year contract Saturday -- a day after he left the team.

Another of the Pirates' free agent disappointments, infielder Pat Meares, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He will have his damaged left hand examined next week by a specialist.

The Pirates got down to the 25-man roster limit by designating right-hander Tony McKnight for assignment, placing right-hander Ryan Vogelsong on the 60-day disabled list and reassigning right-hander Josias Manzanillo and outfielder Adam Hyzdu to their minor league camp.

In a procedural move, they purchased the contract of left-hander Ron Villone from Triple-A Nashville. Villone was picked more than a week ago to start the Pirates' opener Monday in New York.

Bell's departure became obvious Friday when he packed up his bags and departed camp, but the Pirates had to wait for him to clear waivers to announce the move.

Signed 16 months ago by former general manager Cam Bonifay to supply some power and a veteran's presence in the clubhouse, Bell did neither. He hit .173 last season and irritated teammates by projecting himself as a team leader even as he struggled to get his average above .100.

Bell's departure was virtually assured two weeks ago when he threatened to go into "Operation Shutdown" if he wasn't made the starting right fielder. At the time, he was hitting .148.

The statements angered general manager Dave Littlefield and manager Lloyd McClendon, and Bell never played in another game.

Bell finished with five home runs and 13 RBI in 156 at-bats last season. He is owed $4 million for this year, plus a $750,000 buyout for next season.

"Obviously, the comments he made had an effect on both our position and his position," Littlefield said.

Reached by phone, Bell said, "I'm sorry it didn't work out with the Pirates." He also said he wasn't sure if he would stay in baseball.

The Pirates are exploring all options with Meares, who hit .211 last year in the second year of a $15 million, four-year contract.

Meares decided last year not to have additional surgery on his left hand, which was injured in a 1999 spring training game. Earlier this spring, Meares said the injury all but "crippled" his hand because it robbed him of much of his strength.

"With a guy under contact for two more years, it makes sense to investigate what options might be available to help him," Littlefield said. "At this time, at least offensively, we don't feel Pat is able to play up to his capabilities because of the hand injury. It certainly appears he is not the player he once was.

"But we want to see if he can better, if there's something that can be done that hopefully could allow him to be a more productive player."

By designating McKnight for assignment, the Pirates have 10 days to trade him, release him or send him outright to the minors. McKnight was 2-6 with a 5.19 ERA with the Pirates last season and had a 6.08 ERA in 13 1-3 innings this spring.

Manzanillo cannot rejoin the Pirates until May 1 because he rejected salary arbitration in December.

Hyzdu was demoted despite having a good spring, hitting .308 with four homers and 10 RBI in 39 at bats. He was kept in camp until the Pirates were certain that outfielder Armando Rios, who injured a knee during an on-field collision Monday, was ready to play.