Gamethread: Pirates host Tigers

The Pirates are hosting a split Tigers squad at McKechnie Field today.  Game time is 1:05 PM.  Jeff Locke will start for the home team.  He'll be followed, in some order or other, by Arquimedes Caminero, Jared Hughes, Juan Nicasio, Jorge Rondon and Eric O'Flaherty.

The pitching lineup will provide a first look at the battle for just one or two spots in the bullpen.  (Actually, the Pirates have so many relievers in camp that probably every game will be like that.)  Nicasio is probably guaranteed a spot due to being out of options and also being one of the fallback starters, along with Kyle Lobstein.  Rondon was outrighted after being claimed on waivers from the Orioles when Baltimore added Vance Worley.  O'Flaherty seems to be the last left-handed bullpen candidate left standing, with Cory Luebke and the mysterious Robert Zarate both hurt.