Karstens will start against Reds

Right-hander Jeff Karstens will start against the Cincinnati Reds, filling in for Ross Ohlendorf who was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder posterior strain.

Manager Clint Hurdle announced his decision to place Karstens in the rotation but it is still undetermined which of the three game series against the Reds he will start (April 15-18).

The plan was for Karstens to pitch on Thursday, in the third game against the Milwaukee Brewers but plans where changed because of the rain postponement tonight.

Karstens, who serves as the teams long reliever, threw 3.1 innings (67 pitches) in relief on Friday after Ohlendorf was pulled from the game with his injury.

Karstens is up for any task the Pirates ask of him. He appeared in 26 games with the Bucs last year, 19 of them starts.

“I’m just used to the role,” Karstens told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. “I roll out of bed with a smile on my face. I get to put the big league uniform on every day and I’m proud of that.”

Right-hander Daniel McCutchen will serve as the long inning man with Karstens in the rotation.

*Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette