Karstens set for Thursday exam on ailing right shoulder
The Pittsburgh Pirates will learn much more Thursday regarding the fate of Jeff Karstens, as his inflamed right shoulder will be examined in Pittsburgh by team physician Patrick DeMeo. The team placed him on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday before the 2-1 edging of the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Karstens, Pittsburgh's best starter in 2011, lasted only one inning of his start Tuesday, as manager Clint Hurdle and his staff noticed he was looking uncomfortable on the mound and in his first-inning at-bat. However, Hurdle said Wednesday that the injury was something that was building over time.
"The ball wasn't coming out of his hand like we were hoping, but he still had his game face on," Hurdle said of Karstens. "When he came in after the inning, we knew."
The Pirates' decision to DL Karstens came before the exam, Hurdle said, because the team wanted him to skip a start, anyway.
"We went through an evaluation process with Jeff and, looking at the best move for us, we saw no need to milk it through, to have him skip one start then reassess," Hurdle said. "Just shut it down. He'll be thoroughly evaluated by our team doctors when we get back, but this removes any urgency."
To take Karstens' roster spot, the Pirates recalled right-hander Brad Lincoln, their 2006 first-round draft pick. Lincoln made big-league eight starts last season and went 2-3 witha 4.72 ERA. In two starts so far for Class AA Indianapolis, he was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA.
The Pirates have yet to determine whether Lincoln will enter the rotation or be used in long relief. He pitched Thursday in relief of James McDonald and turned in three scoreless innings.
"I'm as fresh as can be," Lincoln said. "I'm not sure how they plan to use me, but I'll help out of the bullpen."
