Jeff Locke will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start against the Giants on Monday. Wandy Rodriguez (knee) needs more rehab time, providing an opportunity for Locke. The 2013 All-Star has put up a 5.04 ERA at Indy but boasts a 27/6 K/BB ratio across 25 innings. He could get multiple starts depending on how Rodriguez comes along.

The Pirates could recall Jeff Locke from Triple-A Indianapolis to start on Tuesday against the Giants. Wandy Rodriguez (knee) really struggled in his rehab start Thursday, so the Bucs could elect to give him another outing in the minors. Locke is starting for Indy on Thursday and entered the game with quality starts in each of his last two appearances.

Pirates activated LHP Jeff Locke from the 15-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. Locke's oblique is no longer an issue, but the Pirates have no room for him at the moment. He'll be used in Indianapolis' rotation until a need arises with the big club.

Jeff Locke (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Bradenton Tuesday. Locke is expected to get his pitch count up to around 100. He figures to be physically ready for activation soon, but the Pirates currently have no room in their rotation. Locke will be stashed in Triple-A Indianapolis' rotation until a need arises.

Pirates placed RHP Jeff Locke on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury. Locke got only two innings of work this spring in the Grapefruit League because of oblique discomfort. He'll presumably stay back in Florida to get healthy.

Jeff Locke could fill in if Francisco Liriano (groin) has to begin the season on the disabled list. Liriano will test his groin out Wednesday before a determination on his Opening Day status is made. Locke is over his early-spring oblique issue but could stay behind in extended spring training to get stretched out if Liriano is ready. He'll eventually likely be assigned to Triple-A.

Jeff Locke was scratched from Wednesday's start with discomfort "in the oblique area" but said it's not a huge concern. "I've seen people do oblique stuff before, where they're so bad they can't even take a breath," Locke said. "That's not the case with me. Very minor. Nothing hurts at all. Precautionary more than anything; take a few days then re-evaluate." Locke will continue to receive treatment Thursday and hopes to be back on a mound by Friday at the earliest. The setback is bad timing for the left-hander, who will need to earn a starting job this spring.

Jeff Locke has been scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game due to tightness in his right side. Jay Jackson will make the start instead against the Blue Jays. Locke pitched two scoreless frames in his spring debut last Thursday versus the Yankees and will try to stay on track through the tightness via simulated work. Edinson Volquez is likely to open the 2014 regular season as the Pirates' fifth starter. It's not clear how Locke will fit into the mix.

Jeff Locke pitched scoreless third and fourth innings Thursday in the Pirates' 8-2 victory over the Yankees. Locke, an NL All-Star last season, is fighting to make the rotation this spring. As things stand now, Edinson Volquez is likely the favorite for the fifth spot. However, that assumes Wandy Rodriguez is healthy. There's a good chance Rodriguez will wind up on the DL, leaving room for both Volquez and Locke.

Jeff Locke is ready to put his disappointing finish to the 2013 season behind him, and strives to regain a spot in the Pirates starting rotation this spring. After a fantastic start to the season that found Locke being named to his first NL All-Star team, the wheels completely fell of the train for him in late-July. Over his final 10 starts, he posted a horrifying 7.25 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 37/27 K/BB ratio over 44 2/3 innings of work. If he can regain his control, he does have underlying upside in strikeouts, but it's difficult to trust his inconsistency.