Hurdle not concerned about untested rotation

The elder statesman, such as he is, pitched Friday in the Pirates home opener. Come Saturday, the young guys will take over.

“We’ve got a young rotation, third-youngest rotation in the big leagues,” manager Clint Hurdle said.

“Is that a concern? No, it’s a number. And now there are opportunities to go out and pitch and see where they’re going to take it. They’re going to gain experience as they move forward, as they go and get opportunities.”

Ivan Nova, the starter Friday, is 30. Though Gerrit Cole is 26, he is entering his fifth major league season. But Saturday starter Chad Kuhl is 24, Tyler Glasnow is 23 and Jameson Taillon is 25. Those three are entering their first full major league season.

“It’s great,” Glasnow said. “You know these guys for so long, it’s cool being so close with everyone.”

Cole, Nova and Taillon entered spring training with rotation spots in hand, and Kuhl reported to Bradenton, Fla., with an inside track to a job.

The final spot, which went to Glasnow, was the result of a four-man competition that also featured Steven Brault, Trevor Williams and Drew Hutchison. Williams is in the bullpen; Brault and Hutchison were sent to Class AAA Indianapolis.

The starters had a 4.67 ERA in 2016 and did not pitch deep into games.

“Quality start or more, you want to be out there,” Kuhl said of pitching six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs. “Jamo does a really good job. Me and Tyler are trying to do the same thing, we’re trying to be super efficient, going deep into ballgames to help our bullpen. The deeper we go, the better we’re going to be.”

Freese gets bad hop

David Freese left the game Friday against the Atlanta Braves after a bad hop on a hard grounder struck him in the clavicle.

Dansby Swanson drove a ball toward Freese at third base in the eighth inning. The ball took an intermediate hop and jumped up, striking Freese below the neck.

“I think I would have ducked if I had enough time,” Freese said. “It was kind of a topspin shot and just hopped up. I tried to get the glove to it, but didn’t have time.”

Head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk examined Freese on the field.

Freese finished the inning defensively, but was removed for a pinch-hitter in the bottom half. He said examinations showed no fractures.

“Just filled up a little bit so it’s kind of sore,” he said. “We’ll see how it is [Saturday].”

Josh Harrison moved to third base in the ninth and Phil Gosselin, who hit for Freese, played second.

The Pirates are short a third baseman with Jung Ho Kang still awaiting a visa in South Korea.