Casey begins rehab with Altoona on Friday

ERIE, PA -- Pittsburgh Pirates' first baseman Sean Casey will begin a major league injury rehabilitation assignment with the Altoona Curve Friday night, when the club opens a four-game series against the Erie SeaWolves (AA/Erie) at Jerry Uht Park in Erie, PA.

Casey was placed on the 15-day Disabled List on April 15th after suffering two fractures of the transverse process in his lower left back in a game against the Chicago Cubs on April 14th.

The 31-year old is in his first season with Pittsburgh after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in an off-season trade for pitcher Dave Williams. Casey, a native of Pittsburgh, entered the 2006 season with a career .304 average in nine major league seasons and has been selected to play in the Major League All-Star Game three times.

Altoona will send right-hander Matt Peterson (3-3, 4.47) to the mound for Friday's series opener, which begins a seven-game road trip for the Curve, who own the best record in the Double-A Eastern League at 30-17.