The Pirates are expected to decide whether to keep Worley or Jeff Locke as their fifth starter in the next couple days, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Despite giving up five runs in six innings Thursday, Worley (5.29 ERA in 17.3 IP) has outperformed Locke (9.00 ERA in 8 IP) this spring. Worley hurled five scoreless innings after surrendering five runs in the first inning. "It's always a good sign when pitchers or hitters can make in-game adjustments and take care of themselves," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was a solid finish with some resiliency." Worley remains the favorite to join the rotation.

Worley threw three scoreless innings in a "B" game against the Twins on Monday. It appears he has a slight advantage over Jeff Locke for the fifth spot in the rotation. Whichever pitcher loses out in the competition will almost surely start the season in the bullpen. Worley was booted from the rotation late last summer and ended up missing just one start before beating both the Dodgers and Giants shortly thereafter.

Worley won his arbitration case against the Pirates and will make $2.45 million in 2015, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Gazette reports.Worley, who made $527,000 in 2014, will compete for a rotation spot in 2015 after posting an 8-4 record with a 2.85 ERA in 17 starts last season.

Worley was tendered a contract prior to Tuesday's deadline. The first-year, arbitration-eligible pitcher emerged after a two-season fog lifted in 2014. He enters 2015 as a potential fifth starter for Pittsburgh, though his numbers were better than that last summer -- 2.85 ERA, 1.21 WHIP in 110.2 IP. Worley re-established himself with Pittsburgh and could be worth a late-round fantasy gamble in 2015.

Worley limited the Reds to one earned run in 6.1 innings, scattering nine hits while striking out four in a no-decision. He needed 50 pitches over the first two frames but settled down thereafter. Worley lowered his earned-run average to 2.85 in 110.2 IP. With Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole and Edinson Volquez likely ahead of him in the playoff pecking order, the Pirates may move Worley to the bullpen for the playoffs. It's also possible Pittsburgh uses him as a No. 4 starter over Jeff Locke if necessary.

Worley pitched a gem Sunday, scattering four hits over eight innings in a win over the Brewers. Worley struck out five and didn't allow a walk, while needing only 82 pitches (63 strikes) to get through eight scoreless innings. Worley, whose ERA dropped to 2.93 following Sunday, will next take the bump Friday in Cincinnati.

Worley will replace Charlie Morton (groin) in the Pirates' rotation this weekend, making the start Sunday against Milwaukee, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Travis Sawchik reports. It's possible that Morton might be done for the season, which would presumably mean Worley would also start Sept. 26 against the Reds, but that's not confirmed yet. Worley isn't a terrible streaming option as he has a 3.18 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 96.1 innings with Pittsburgh this season, and he'll be facing a Milwaukee offense that managed just five runs in its three-game series against St. Louis earlier this week.

Worley will cede his spot in the Pirates' rotation to Charlie Morton (hernia) beginning Tuesday, MLB.com's Tom Singer reports. Worley owns a 3.18 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts this season, but he will be the pitcher who loses his spot in the rotation to make room for Morton. With just two weeks left in the regular season, it seems likely Worley will pitch in relief the rest of the way barring an injury.

Worley struck out four and walked two while giving up three runs on four hits over five innings in a win over the Phillies on Wednesday. The victory improved Worley's season record to 7-4, though it bumped his season ERA up to 3.18. His rebound campaign continues for the Bucs, and a two-start week is on tap for Worley with his next start Tuesday against Boston at home before a September 21 home matchup against Milwaukee.

Worley was charged with two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks, striking out four over 6.1 innings against the Reds on Saturday, to improve to 6-4 on the season. Worley got back on track against a hapless Reds offense, after allowing 12 runs on 30 hits in his previous three starts. The lone blemish against him was a solo shot surrendered to Todd Frazier in the fourth inning, as Worley otherwise allowed just two singles, one of which came on a bunt by Billy Hamilton.