DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: NL Central—PIT, MIL rotations take shape

Pittsburgh Pirates

The PIT rotation took on some clarity as Jonathan Sanchez (LHP, PIT) was named the fourth starter and Jeff Locke (LHP, PIT) was awarded the fifth position. Sanchez won the job with a mediocre spring, in which he allowed 11 ER in 18 IP. He fanned 16 but issued a staff high 11 walks. Control has been an issue for Sanchez throughout his career, including a horrendous 7.4 Ctl in 2012. Locke allowed 11 earned runs in 21.1 IP and struck out 12 with eight walks. The Pirates hope that neither will be in the rotation long. Francisco Liriano (LHP, PIT) is recovering from a broken non-pitching arm and should be ready by the end of April. The prognosis for Jeff Karstens (RHP, PIT) is currently more hazy. Karstens was placed on...

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