Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports from the Pirates’ minicamp in Bradenton, Florida.

• The team and Octavio Dotel are getting closer to a contract agreement. If it gets done, it’s likely that Dotel will be named the team’s closer. However, management see two closer candidates in Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek.
• Dotel is expected to make less than the $6 million he made last season. Perhaps half as much, even with performance bonuses.
• A settlement with Zach Duke before the case goes to arbitration is not in sight. Duke made $2.2 million last season. Duke and the Pirates may exchange salary figures on Tuesday.
• Vinnie Chulk experienced a sore neck that kept him from making his pitching session.