Jeff Locke's return to PNC Park mound will be 'an exciting day'

Former All-Star signed with Miami after parts of six seasons with the Pirates

For years, left-hander Jeff Locke took pride in his ability to take the baseball every fifth day. He wasn’t always effective, a prime reason he was non-tendered by the Pirates last offseason after spending parts of six seasons as the caboose of their rotation, but at least he was healthy.

So Locke was especially frustrated when he suffered left biceps tendinitis early in spring training, his first camp with the Miami Marlins. They signed Locke as a free agent in December for $3.025 million, the same salary he had last season, and ensued him a shot at a spot in the rotation.

“First few days with the team, and all of a…