Jeff Locke SP FA Mon 3/30/15 10:10 PM
Jeff Locke
SP FA
The Pirates named Locke to their starting rotation Monday. He will pitch in the fourth game of the season in Cincinnati on April 10, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Vance Worley was thought to be the frontrunner for the spot, but the team decided to with three righthanders and two southpaws. "At the end of the day, we wanted to get (into) the season with the two left-handers in the rotation and Vance helping us out of the bullpen," manager Clint Hurdle said. "I would never say it's just because Locke is left-handed, but that's a dynamic that can help you. We just felt this is the way we wanted to start the season." Locke struggled during spring training, compiled a 6.59 ERA while giving up 19 hits and five walks in 13.2 IP.
