HOUSTON -- The Pirates' new front office has made its first mark.

After extensive meetings on the team's off day Thursday, upper management -- with the blessing of new team president Frank Coonelly -- decided that veteran Tony Armas would be pulled from the rotation in favor of younger pitchers John Van Benschoten, who will take Armas' previously scheduled start Monday in San Diego, and Bryan Bullington.

That made clear two elements regarding Armas:

1. One already should have been obvious: The team has no intention of picking up his $5 million club option for 2008 but, rather, will exercise the $500,000 buyout.

2. He was continuing to start primarily because former general manager Dave Littlefield, who signed Armas as a free agent to one guaranteed year for $3 million plus the option, wanted to demonstrate value for that contract.

"This wasn't easy to do to Tony because he's been pitching well," interim general manager Brian Graham said. "But this was a decision that's doing what's best for the organization. There are some young pitchers we need to get a look at in these final few games, and that's the way we're going to go."

Armas, 4-5 with a 6.07 ERA, was fresh off his finest start with the Pirates, pitching six scoreless innings Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Manager Jim Tracy said of the rotation change: "There obviously are some things taking place management-wise, and it's very important for us to see what our young pitchers have got."

Bay, Nady, Maholm back

The Pirates received a bevy of upbeat health news, as outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady were cleared to return to the starting lineup tonight, and Paul Maholm will rejoin the rotation tomorrow.

Bay's sore knee passed a running test yesterday, and he was available to pinch-hit. Nady had his second consecutive symptom-free day from his concussion, and he received the blessing of a neurologist Thursday to resume playing. Maholm had no trouble from his lower back in a bullpen session Thursday.

Buried treasure

Tom Gorzelanny will get three more cracks at winning his 15th game, beginning Tuesday in San Diego.

Tracy, on the strong possibility Gorzelanny, Maholm and Ian Snell will approach or exceed 200 innings this season: "I'm proud of them. I really am. From where these guys were last year to now, their progress has really been impressive." Gorzelanny has 185 innings, Maholm 173 and Snell 195.