BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates have five starters lined up to open the season in their rotation. They also have two top pitching prospects knocking on the door and another wave on the way. But what happens if they need rotation help right out of the gate?
That's where Juan Nicasio and Kyle Lobstein fit into the Bucs' plans. Both will be stretched out in Spring Training as starting pitchers, available to fill a rotation spot if needed while still competing for a bullpen job.
Ideally, the Pirates will open the season with a rotation of Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Jon Niese, Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke.