PITTSBURGH — With several off days in the early part of the second half and several young pitchers with options performing well, the Pirates have plenty of alternatives when it comes to fielding a rotation.
It’s going to be a tough sell for Jeff Locke to remain in that group.
Locke lasted just three innings in the Pirates 9-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday night, allowing five runs on seven hits. It’s been a rough stretch for Locke, whose ERA has now climbed to 5.54 on the season.
Wednesday’s start was the third straight in which he failed to get out of the fifth inning.