Mar 29, 2016 4 min read

TAMPA, Fla. – Entering Spring Training, Jeff Locke was no lock to hold down a spot in the Pirates’ rotation to open the season.

In fact, coming off an 8-11 season that saw him post a 4.49 ERA, the 2013 National League All-Star wasn’t even a lock to make the team’s roster – until Tuesday.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Tuesday Locke has won a spot in the rotation. The left-hander went six innings in a minor league game against Pirates’ Triple-A players.

Locke, a lefty, has posted a 1-3 record with a 6.63 ERA in five appearances this spring.

“It’s news to me,” Locke said. “It’s good news to me.

“You want to be in the rotation. You feel you should be in the rotation. If you’re not in there, it’s not your decision, and you’ve got to respect whatever direction they take.”

Locke has been trying out a new delivery on his windup this spring, which has led to some of his inconsistencies. But the Pirates feel his experience will pay off in the No. 4 slot in their rotation. Veteran Ryan Vogelsong and Juan Nicasio remain in the competition to be the fifth starter.

Lock is 26-30 in five seasons with the Pirates with a 4.16 ERA.

“It’s what we see, how we see this group coming together, and Jeff’s done a lot of good things for us,” Huntington said. “I know he’s an easy punching bag in certain circles, but Jeff’s been a very solid Major League pitcher for us, and we think there’s more to come.

“Jeff’s had his ups and downs, but we believe that this is a big year for him and we can help him take a step forward and have more ups and fewer downs.”

Huntington also said that veteran outfielder Matt Joyce, signed as a free agent after spending 2015 with the Angels, has earned a roster spot.

Joyce, 30, is batting .243 with three home runs and 6 RBI this spring after posting a .174 average and five homers in 247 at bats for the Angels last season. He is a career .242 hitter.

“We see him as a left-handed bat off the bench who can play left or right field when (manager) Clint (Hurdle) chooses to rest one of our outfielders or in case of injury,” Huntington said. “Veteran, commands the strike zone, gives us quality, professional at-bats.”

Huntington announced the moves prior to the Pirates’ 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees Tuesday in a game shortened to five innings because of rain.

CC Sabathia allowed two runs and three hits over four innings for the Yankees.

The former ace, competing with Ivan Nova for the Yankees’ No. 5 spot, gave up a two-run single in the fourth to Jose Osuna. The lefty struck out two and walked two in a game that was played mostly in a steady rain.

Sabathia said he assumes that he will be in the rotation. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said a decision will be made in the next couple days.

“I thought today was his best outing,” Girardi said. “I thought he was pretty good. Some tougher conditions. I thought his cutter was excellent. I thought his change up got better as the day went on.”

Sabathia was coming off an outing Thursday in which he allowed two runs over five innings against Tampa Bay.

Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer during a three-run second inning against Pirates minor leaguer Steven Brault. Beltran also had a sacrifice fly during a two-run third.

Brault, expected to start the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, allowed five runs and five hits in three innings.

Yankees: Sabathia threw 41 of 70 pitches for strikes.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: INF Jordy Mercer (right eye infection) didn’t play. … RHP Jared Hughes (strained left lat) will likely start the regular season on the disabled list.

Yankees: CF Jacoby Ellsbury played for the third consecutive day after missing a week due to a bruised right wrist and singled three at-bats. He is 1 for 9 since returning.

MOVING DAY

Pirates: NF Jake Goebbert, and RHPs Trey Haley and Robert Scahill were optioned to Indianapolis. … OFs Antoan Richardson and Danny Ortiz, RHP Curtis Partch and LHP Robert Zarate were reassigned to the minor league camp.

Yankees: Girardi said Bryan Mitchell will be on the opening day roster, likely filling the long man and spot start spot previously held by Adam Warren, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Starlin Castro.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Jonathon Niese is scheduled to face Boston’s David Price on Wednesday.

Yankees: Nova will go against Atlanta on Wednesday. Closer Andrew Miller and setup man Dellin Betances will also throw.

…