BRADENTON, Fla. — Despite the notion that spring training statistics don’t mean much, Juan Nicasio’s performance left the Pirates no choice.
Nicasio earned the final spot in the starting rotation, manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday. Ryan Vogelsong will begin the season in the bullpen as a long reliever. Nicasio joins Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole, Jon Niese and Jeff Locke in the rotation.
Nicasio did not allow a run in 15 spring innings and struck out 24 batters while walking only five.
“I told Ryan, this wasn’t about him not performing well,” Hurdle said. “He came into spring training and tracked things out that he wanted to do. It was about another guy really pitching the most effective we’ve ever seen him pitch and trying to leverage that opportunity for him.”
The Pirates signed Nicasio, a 29-year-old right-hander, to a $3 million contract this offseason after the Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered him. They signed Vogelsong, 38, for $2 million.
Nicasio relieved for the Dodgers last season, but started for the Colorado Rockies from 2011-14. Coors Field’s massive outfield and thin air took its toll on his ERA, but Nicasio pitched well at times.
“We’ve known he’s always had good stuff,” Hurdle said. “When you repeat your delivery and you’re able to work down in the zone like that, that leads to success.”
Liriano will start the opener Sunday against St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright. Niese will oppose Michael Wacha Tuesday and Nicasio will pitch Wednesday against Mike Leake.
Nicasio and Cole will remain in Florida when the team heads to Indianapolis for its final exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds. Nicasio will pitch Friday in a simulated game or minor league game, and Cole will do the same Saturday. Both will join the team for opening day.
Vogelsong moved between the rotation and bullpen last season in San Francisco. He allowed opposing hitters a .346/.402/.531 line in relief and had a 5.68 ERA in 19 innings out of the bullpen.
“I informed Ryan as well, it’s a delay, it’s not denial,” Hurdle said. “He’s a pro. He came here to win ballgames, he expressed the same sentiments to me on the way out, that I’m going to do everything I can to help us win ballgames and work to have a starting opportunity if that presents itself.”
Vogelsong will join Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, Arquimedes Caminero and Neftali Feliz in the bullpen. He’ll pitch in relief in the Pirates’ final Grapefruit League game Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
“He was completely professional,” Hurdle said. “Disappointed, absolutely. You’d want him to be. He poured everything into that, and [starting] was one of his goals coming in.”
Jared Hughes will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left lat muscle in his back, so five pitchers are competing for two bullpen spots. The Pirates had to make a decision on non-roster left-hander Cory Luebke by Wednesday, Hurdle said. Luebke has an opt-out clause in his contract. He allowed one run in two innings Wednesday.
“He’s got good stuff. The more he gets to pitch, the better he’s going to get to be,” Hurdle said. “I like the arm, we like the arm. There’s deception to the delivery. The fastball’s got good finish. The changeup can play.”
Left-hander Kyle Lobstein, who will start the game Thursday, is on the 40-man roster and also an option. Three other non-roster pitchers, left-hander Jim Fuller and right-handers Jorge Rondon and A.J. Schugel, round out the competition.
“I haven’t been told anything,” Schugel said. “Taking it one day at a time, see what happens.”
Wednesday’s game: Pirates 4, Red Sox 4
Records: Pirates (7-20-2), Red Sox (12-16-1).
Starter: Jon Niese — 4 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 5 K.
Hitter: Andrew McCutchen — 3 for 4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI.
Of note: Non-roster pitchers Cory Luebke and A.J. Schugel, who are among the options for the final spot in the bullpen, each allowed a run and a hit in two innings. Non-roster left-hander Jim Fuller, another bullpen candidate, struck out one in a scoreless inning.
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Niese allowed two runs on four hits in the first inning, but put only one man on base in his final three.
Mookie Betts led off the game with a double. Josh Rutledge singled and Chris Young’s grounder drove home Betts. Ryan Hanigan singled, allowing Rutledge to score. Blake Swihart singled, but the Red Sox did no further damage.
“As the game went on, he got better,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Niese. “I thought his sequences improved.”
After the first inning, Niese struck out three batters and allowed only a one-out double to Swihart in the fourth. He threw some of his best off-speed pitches of the spring.
“As far as the secondary pitches, he was throwing them right where he wanted,” Hurdle said.
Niese finished spring with an 8.40 ERA. He allowed 14 runs and 18 hits in 15 innings.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: March 30, 2016, 8:44 p.m.
Updated: March 31, 2016, 12:07 a.m.
