"When you decide you want to catch, this is why you take the job," Jaramillo said. "That's the responsibility that comes with it, and I wanted to catch because of that responsibility, that role of leadership, so I'm looking forward to this challenge. I'm ready to roll."

He emphasized his empathy for Doumit, too.

"Obviously, it's bittersweet. Ryan's a big part of this team, and I hope he gets back healthy."

Jaramillo made his second start in Doumit's absence last night, and can be expected to make the majority for as long as it lasts, manager John Russell said. But some of the duty, he added, will go to Robinzon Diaz, promoted from Class AAA Indianapolis, and it might take the form of a platoon: Jaramillo is a switch-hitter, Diaz right-handed.

"Jason has earned the right to see what he can do," Russell said. "The main thing is keep them fresh and keep both playing because we're going to need both of them."

Jaramillo, 26, was a career .271 hitter in the minors and beat out Diaz out of spring training almost solely because of his defense. Diaz, 25, is a .305 hitter in the minors, 3 for 10 in the majors.

Buried treasure

* General manager Neal Huntington, while expressing confidence in Jaramillo and Diaz, made clear that he will seek catching help.

* Florida lost its cleanup hitter, too, with Jorge Cantu a late scratch to a sore left wrist. Ross Gload replaced him. Cantu likely will be out today, too.

* The auction on Pirates .com of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police caps and Pirates jerseys worn in the home opener, which benefit the Fallen Heroes Fund, ends today.