Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Karstens was removed after one inning in tonight’s start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Karstens came up to the plate in the top of the second inning, but was replaced on the mound by Jared Hughes in the bottom half of the inning.
The Pirates later announced that Karstens was removed with right shoulder inflammation. He will be evaluated after the team returns to Pittsburgh, and the team will provide an update on his condition after he meets with the team doctors.
It would be a safe bet that Karstens will miss at least one start. A.J. Burnett was scheduled to make his next rehab start on Saturday in Altoona. The next start for Karstens would have been next Monday against the Rockies. The Pirates could bring Burnett back early. Brad Lincoln would be another option. He makes his next start tomorrow, which would put him on five days rest on Monday.
