BRADENTON, Fla. — Righty Juan Nicasio won the final spot in the Pirates’ starting rotation with an incredible performance this spring, manager Clint Hurdle said today.
Righty Ryan Vogelsong will pitch out of the bullpen.
Nicasio joins Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole, Jon Niese and Jeff Locke in the rotation. In 15 scoreless innings this spring, Nicasio allowed 10 hits and struck out 24. Vogelsong allowed 10 runs, nine earned, and 17 hits in 13 1/3 innings with four walks and four strikeouts.
“I told Ryan, this wasn’t about him not performing well,” Hurdle said.