Jeff Karstens Scratched, Is The Pirates Backup, Backup, Backup Plan Chris Leroux?

Jeff Karstens will not make his scheduled start against the Baltimore Orioles.  Chris Leroux has been announced as the starter.  Now talk about a solid backup to the backup plan, Leroux has been itching to be made a starter since he got released and nobody wanted him.

Kartstens is being handled with kid gloves by the Pirates, who were really apprehensive about signing him this offseason.  One can only assume that Karstens is going to be out for an extended period of time when there is nothing specific stated other than ‘soreness.’

Having Leroux as the go to option for a spot start is a cool plan.  Everyone knows what Jonathan Sanchez might, or might not do.  Sanchez has now made this 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates team.  Everyone knows that Jeff Locke has been far from impressive this spring.

What most of us don’t know is what Chris Leroux can do as a starter.  We love this plan.  Leroux has repeated that he will do whatever is asked from him.  Getting a chance to start today against the Orioles, is all that Leroux has asked for, the fact that the Bucs gave him a shot is awesome.

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Looking at what this might do to the roster is interesting.  Why was Tony Watson’s velocity in the like 89-91 range?  Keep an eye on Watston’s radar digits the next few games.

Vin Mazarro is now back in the bulllpen mix, Jeanmar Gomez is now back in the mix.  The Pirates have some depth which is pretty impressive especially when thinking about what the roster could become when everyone recovers from injuries.