Worley threw three scoreless innings in a "B" game against the Twins on Monday.

It appears he has a slight advantage over Jeff Locke for the fifth spot in the rotation. Whichever pitcher loses out in the competition will almost surely start the season in the bullpen. Worley was booted from the rotation late last summer and ended up missing just one start before beating both the Dodgers and Giants shortly thereafter.

Worley won his arbitration case against the Pirates and will make $2.45 million in 2015, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Gazette reports.

Worley, who made $527,000 in 2014, will compete for a rotation spot in 2015 after posting an 8-4 record with a 2.85 ERA in 17 starts last season.

Worley was tendered a contract prior to Tuesday's deadline.

The first-year, arbitration-eligible pitcher emerged after a two-season fog lifted in 2014. He enters 2015 as a potential fifth starter for Pittsburgh, though his numbers were better than that last summer -- 2.85 ERA, 1.21 WHIP in 110.2 IP. Worley re-established himself with Pittsburgh and could be worth a late-round fantasy gamble in 2015.

Worley limited the Reds to one earned run in 6.1 innings, scattering nine hits while striking out four in a no-decision.

He needed 50 pitches over the first two frames but settled down thereafter. Worley lowered his earned-run average to 2.85 in 110.2 IP. With Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole and Edinson Volquez likely ahead of him in the playoff pecking order, the Pirates may move Worley to the bullpen for the playoffs. It's also possible Pittsburgh uses him as a No. 4 starter over Jeff Locke if necessary.

Worley pitched a gem Sunday, scattering four hits over eight innings in a win over the Brewers.

Worley struck out five and didn't allow a walk, while needing only 82 pitches (63 strikes) to get through eight scoreless innings. Worley, whose ERA dropped to 2.93 following Sunday, will next take the bump Friday in Cincinnati.

Worley will replace Charlie Morton (groin) in the Pirates' rotation this weekend, making the start Sunday against Milwaukee, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Travis Sawchik reports.

It's possible that Morton might be done for the season, which would presumably mean Worley would also start Sept. 26 against the Reds, but that's not confirmed yet. Worley isn't a terrible streaming option as he has a 3.18 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 96.1 innings with Pittsburgh this season, and he'll be facing a Milwaukee offense that managed just five runs in its three-game series against St. Louis earlier this week.

Worley will cede his spot in the Pirates' rotation to Charlie Morton (hernia) beginning Tuesday, MLB.com's Tom Singer reports.

Worley owns a 3.18 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts this season, but he will be the pitcher who loses his spot in the rotation to make room for Morton. With just two weeks left in the regular season, it seems likely Worley will pitch in relief the rest of the way barring an injury.

Worley struck out four and walked two while giving up three runs on four hits over five innings in a win over the Phillies on Wednesday.

The victory improved Worley's season record to 7-4, though it bumped his season ERA up to 3.18. His rebound campaign continues for the Bucs, and a two-start week is on tap for Worley with his next start Tuesday against Boston at home before a September 21 home matchup against Milwaukee.

Worley was charged with two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks, striking out four over 6.1 innings against the Reds on Saturday, to improve to 6-4 on the season.

Worley got back on track against a hapless Reds offense, after allowing 12 runs on 30 hits in his previous three starts. The lone blemish against him was a solo shot surrendered to Todd Frazier in the fourth inning, as Worley otherwise allowed just two singles, one of which came on a bunt by Billy Hamilton.

Worley surrendered 12 hits and four earned runs in 6.1 innings against Milwaukee on Sunday. He struck out five and walked one.

Worley's solid start to his season has dissipated lately, as he's posted a 6.11 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over his last three assignments. The right-hander will be hoping for a better outing at home against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Worley lost Monday against the Braves as he pitched six innings and allowed six runs (five earned), nine hits and two walks to go along with eight strikeouts.

Worley has had mixed results over his last three starts as even though he allowed nine earned runs over 18.1 innings, he did record a total of 19 strikeouts. His overall ERA is impressive at 2.92 and the Pirates will likely continue to look to him to provide quality innings down the stretch.

Worley was charged with five runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Wednesday vs. the Tigers.

Worley looked like he would cruise to his sixth win of the season with a 4-1 lead over four innings, but he imploded in his last two frames, serving up two solo blasts in the process. Given Worley's impressive work prior to Wednesday's turn, he probably still has plenty of leash on his rotation spot once Gerrit Cole returns from the DL.

Worley was outstanding across seven innings Friday night, allowing just one earned run, five hits and a walk while piling up seven strikeouts in a 2-1 victory over the Padres.

Worley continues to pitch brilliantly for the Pirates, especially here in the second half of the season. In four starts since the Midsummer Classic, the right-handed hurler has posted an incredible 0.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB ratio over 28 innings. If Worley can keep this up, it is difficult to envision him being removed from the Pirates' rotation anytime soon.

Worley limited Arizona to one run in six innings Saturday, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out two.

He wasn't around long enough for the win. Worley was pinch-hit for after taking a shot off his hip/back-side in the top of the six, when he'd thrown only 83 pitches, leading to speculation that he might have suffered a minor injury. In any case, he lowered his earned-run average to 2.43 in 55.2 IP and gave his team a chance to win.

Vance Worley tossed his first career shutout, allowing only four hits, in a 5-0 victory against the Giants on Monday.

It was the best start of his career. He induced two double plays, striking out three and walking one. Worley's control continues to be outstanding, and it in part explains his mini resurgence. Only 29 of his 100 pitches were balls, and he's issued only seven eight passes in 49-plus innings all year. The 26-year-old finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2011 and was the Twins' Opening Day starter last season, but he went through waivers unclaimed in March after a horrific 2013. Called up a month-and-a-half ago, Worley has staked his claim to a rotation gig with a 4-1 record, 2.54 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across seven starts and one relief appearance. And would you believe the formerly maligned starter, given up for dead mere months ago, has a career 3.95 ERA? Worley travels to Arizona on Saturday.

Vance Worley improved to 3-1, allowing four runs (one earned) over six innings as the Pirates came out on the winning end of a high-scoring affair against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Worley was making his first start since July 8 and didn't show too much rust. He was the victim of two defensive miscues, which helped lead to four Dodger runs. Overall, the right-hander allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out five. Worley appears to have been a good find for the Pirates. Through six starts and one relief appearance, Worley holds a 3.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 27/7 K/BB ratio. He'll kick off a three-game set against the Giants in San Francisco next Monday.

Vance Worley has been moved to the Pirates' bullpen.

Worley gave up four runs on nine hits in a rough five-inning start Tuesday against the division-rival Cardinals. Francisco Liriano (oblique) is taking his place.

Vance Worley surrendered four runs on nine hits over five innings of work in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Worley didn't issue a walk while striking out three. The outing was his worst in five starts this season, a testament to how good he's been thus far. Even with the poor showing, Worley still touts a 3.03 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings. He'll look to bounce back in what will be his final start of the first half Sunday at the Reds.

Vance Worley brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but wound up taking his first loss of the season, allowing three runs over seven innings against the D'Backs on Thursday.

Worley lost his no-hitter when Ender Inciarte singled in a run with one out in the sixth. David Peralta followed up with a two-run home run to give the D'Backs the lead. Overall, Worley allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out six. He has been great for the Pirates in four starts since joining the rotation, sporting a 2.28 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, and an 18/5 K/BB ratio. Worley will take on the Cardinals in St. Louis in his next start.

Vance Worley improved to 2-0, allowing one run over seven innings as the Pirates defeated the Mets 5-2 on Thursday.

That's three out of three quality starts for Worley since he made his 2014 debut on June 15. On Thursday, the right-hander allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out three. He made one mistake, allowing a solo home run to Lucas Duda in the fourth inning. Now with a 1.74 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 12/3 K/BB ratio, Worley will look to keep it going against the Diamondbacks at home in his next start.