Struggling Pirates lefty Olsen could start year on DL
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Scott Olsen is no longer in the starting rotation mix and could begin the season on the disabled list.
Olsen missed the first month of spring training camp with a strained left hamstring and has struggled in two relief outings. He has a 15.43 ERA and has allowed seven base-runners in 2 1/3 innings.
"The ball is just not coming out of his hand the way it was before the hamstring injury," general manager Neal Huntington said Monday.
With Olsen out, right-hander Charlie Morton has all but clinched the final open spot in the rotation. In four games, Morton has a 1.29 ERA with eight strikeouts in 14 innings.
The Pirates reassigned relievers Justin Thomas and Fernando Nieve and unconditionally released infielder Garrett Atkins.
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