Game Thread: Taillon returns

Tonight, all eyes will be on 25-year old starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.31 ERA), who will return to the mound tonight just five weeks after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer.

Taillon will have his work cut out for him in his returning start as he takes on the team with the best record in the National League, the 41-24 Colorado Rockies. Lefty Kyle Freeland (7-3, 3.34 ERA) will take the hill for Colorado.

To make room for Taillon, the utility infielder Phil Gosselin has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Another small tidbit: Clint Hurdle did not completely rule out reliever Felipe Rivero, who pitched in the last two games, but did say that Juan Nicasio will probably be tonight’s ninth-inning option.

PIRATES

1. Max Moroff, 2B
2. Josh Harrison, LF
3. Gregory Polanco, RF
4. David Freese, 3B
5. Jose Osuna, 1B
6. Andrew McCutchen, CF
7. Elias Diaz, C
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. Jameson Taillon, RHP

ROCKIES

1. Charlie Blackmon, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Nolan Arenado, 3B
4. Mark Reynolds, 1B
5. Carlos Gonzalez, RF
6. Ian Desmond, LF
7. Trevor Story, SS
8. Tony Wolters, C
9. Kyle Freeland, LHP