Notes: Neil Walker Injury, Steven Jackson, Daniel McCutchen

A few notes before the game tonight…

-Neil Walker has a concussion from his collision with Ryan Church yesterday.  Walker will at least miss the rest of the Oakland series, but nothing beyond those two games has been confirmed.  The Pirates are starting Bobby Crosby at second base tonight, with Ronny Cedeno starting at shortstop.

-The Pirates have officially called up Daniel McCutchen to make the start tonight, which is a move that was expected.  They optioned Steven Jackson to AAA to make space for McCutchen.  The Pirates would have either optioned Jackson or Justin Thomas, and Jackson ended up being the choice.  Neither pitched well in relief the past few days, although I could give Thomas a pass since he was asked to warm up three times last night before coming in to the game.

-For the moment, all four players the Pirates got in return in the Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte trade are in the majors, with Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jeff Karstens taking up three of five spots in the rotation, and Jose Tabata serving as the starting left fielder.