Freddy Sanchez will begin the season on the disabled list, the Pirates announced Saturday. While the news was not all that surprising, the reason for it may have been. "It's not so much the knee. I don't feel good at the plate," said Sanchez, who's been battling a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee since March 6. "I don't feel like I'd be able to go in there in the bottom of the ninth against [Astros reliever Brad] Lidge and have a good, quality at-bat." And so Sanchez was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 23. He'll be eligible to return after the first four games of the season, on April 7 in Cincinnati. Sanchez twisted his knee while turning a double play against the Phillies nearly a month ago, and general manager Dave Littlefield had said that once his starting second baseman was able to run the bases comfortably, he'd let Sanchez defend his National League batting crown.