PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Right-hander Kevin Correia, who was scratched from his outing on Saturday due to discomfort in his left side, will start Monday night’s 7:05 game against the Colorado Rockies.
Since being sidelined, Correia has progressively gotten better each day. Although he was unsure of when he injured his side, it felt sore a few days ago. The club decided to be extra cautious with Correia, who ended the 2011 season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, around the same area he felt the tightness.
“He felt better yesterday,” Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said. “His symptoms were almost completely resolved, which was a good thing. We got the affirmation with the MRI that came back clean. He was able to go through his throwing program without issue yesterday. He was able to throw a light side.”
Right-hander Brad Lincoln was originally slated to pitch on Monday will be used in long relief in the bullpen for the time being.
“Brad threw well in [his 2012 debut] for us,” Huntington said. “There was a real push to have him make the club out of spring training. With our starting pitching the way it is right now, with his ability to give us length out of the bullpen, that’s a decision we will make case by case. There’s no reason not to keep Brad Lincoln around as long as he pitches well, and there’s a need for him.”
The Pirates had A.J. Burnett start in place for Correia on Saturday. In his 2012 debut, Burnett tossed seven scoreless innings.
— Right-hander Jeff Karstens is continuing to rest his pitching shoulder after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Huntington said the plan for Karstens remains rest until he is ready to get back on the mound.
“As we sit here today the plan is about 10 days of rest for Jeff,” Huntington said. “He will begin a throwing program from there and build upon the successes or the challenges of each of those days. [We’ll] get him back on the mound as he’s ready to get back on the mound. We’ve sent the films to Dr. Andrews. Nothing that’s changed our initial diagnosis at this point in time…We’ll see where we go from here. Most importantly, a good solid rest period for Jeff then get back on a throwing program.”
Despite seeing Dr. Andrews for further evaluation, Huntington said it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news.
“Ironically enough, more often than not, it probably is more confirmation of the diagnosis then, ‘oh. It’s the end of the world.’ It’s not the grim reaper.”
