Photo Provided Seven-year-old cancer survivor Hines Rotriga anxiously awaits his day on the field Monday at PNC Park with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pirate Parrot.

WHEELING — Seven-year-old cancer survivor Hines Rotriga of Wheeling will take the field with the Pirate Parrot Monday as the Pittsburgh Pirates have their home opener at PNC Park.

Hines — diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma at age 2 — has shown no signs of cancer for the past three years, said his mother, Debbie Rotriga.

He is the first child selected to join the Pirate Parrot on the field as part of a new “sidekick” program with the Pirates, sponsored by Quaker Steak & Lube.

The restaurant chain has a history of suporting efforts to fight cancer, and supporting Hines Rotriga.

“He is excited. He was little when we went there before,” Debbie Rotriga said.

His cousin Jillian, also 7, will be accompanying the family to PNC Park.

Rotriga said Hines has been “doing well” in recent months, and for the past three years testing has shown no signs of recurring cancer.

Following his day with the Pirates on Monday, Hines and his family will head to New York for doctor visits and testing.

A good sign is these visits are becoming fewer and farther between, she said. Hines was first diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma at Christmas 2013, and the “Hope for Hines” campaign brought in support from across the country.

“Instead of going to New York every three weeks, it went on to become once every three months,” she said. “Now it is every six months. … But, he has had two relapses, and it puts us on our toes when we go back for scans.”

Rotriga realizes the public may not be aware that Hines is in better health.

“When the doctors don’t see anything, there is no need to post anything,” she said.

Hines is now a kindergarten student at St. Michael Parish School in Wheeling, and is “living a normal everyday life,” according to his mother.

“He loves his Hot Wheels, superheroes and monster trucks,” she said.

He is presently undergoing no chemotherapy, and is taking no medicine.

“We have been blessed,” she said. “There are definitely angels watching over him.”

Christine Thomas, marketing manager for Quaker Steak & Lube, said youths ages 6-14 will get the opportunity all season to win a chance to be a Pirate Parrot sidekick.

“Quaker Steak & Lube is a proud sponsor of the Pirates, and we are excited to be the offiical sign-up location for the Pirate Parrot sidekick program,” she said.

While the Pirates organization will select the winning sidekicks, Quaker Steak & Lube was permitted to select the child to be with the Parrot on Opening Day, she said.

The restaurant chain has been supporting Hines throughout his battle with cancer, and he was “a natural choice,” Thomas said.