Pirates placed RHP Jeff Locke on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury.

Locke got only two innings of work this spring in the Grapefruit League because of oblique discomfort. He'll presumably stay back in Florida to get healthy.

Jeff Locke could fill in if Francisco Liriano (groin) has to begin the season on the disabled list.

Liriano will test his groin out Wednesday before a determination on his Opening Day status is made. Locke is over his early-spring oblique issue but could stay behind in extended spring training to get stretched out if Liriano is ready. He'll eventually likely be assigned to Triple-A.

Jeff Locke was scratched from Wednesday's start with discomfort "in the oblique area" but said it's not a huge concern.

"I've seen people do oblique stuff before, where they're so bad they can't even take a breath," Locke said. "That's not the case with me. Very minor. Nothing hurts at all. Precautionary more than anything; take a few days then re-evaluate." Locke will continue to receive treatment Thursday and hopes to be back on a mound by Friday at the earliest. The setback is bad timing for the left-hander, who will need to earn a starting job this spring.

Jeff Locke has been scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game due to tightness in his right side.

Jay Jackson will make the start instead against the Blue Jays. Locke pitched two scoreless frames in his spring debut last Thursday versus the Yankees and will try to stay on track through the tightness via simulated work. Edinson Volquez is likely to open the 2014 regular season as the Pirates' fifth starter. It's not clear how Locke will fit into the mix.

Jeff Locke pitched scoreless third and fourth innings Thursday in the Pirates' 8-2 victory over the Yankees.

Locke, an NL All-Star last season, is fighting to make the rotation this spring. As things stand now, Edinson Volquez is likely the favorite for the fifth spot. However, that assumes Wandy Rodriguez is healthy. There's a good chance Rodriguez will wind up on the DL, leaving room for both Volquez and Locke.

Jeff Locke is ready to put his disappointing finish to the 2013 season behind him, and strives to regain a spot in the Pirates starting rotation this spring.

After a fantastic start to the season that found Locke being named to his first NL All-Star team, the wheels completely fell of the train for him in late-July. Over his final 10 starts, he posted a horrifying 7.25 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 37/27 K/BB ratio over 44 2/3 innings of work. If he can regain his control, he does have underlying upside in strikeouts, but it's difficult to trust his inconsistency.

Jeff Locke has been shut down for the season.

Locke had already been bumped from the rotation, and it's no surprise they've decided to shut him down altogether since he didn't really have a spot in the bullpen. It's been a precipitous fall for the 2013 All-Star, as Locke held a 6.12 ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star break. Still, he should arrive at spring training next year with a leg up for a rotation spot.

Jeff Locke will not start this week against the Reds.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle made that news official in a chat Tuesday with the media. Locke has posted a 6.12 ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star break and the Bucs are trying to win the National League Central.

Jeff Locke likely won't start again this season.

Locke was pulled after allowing five runs in one inning Sunday against the Reds and the Pirates will likely skip his turn in the rotation this weekend. A.J. Burnett is currently lined up to start Friday in Cincinnati while the Pirates could go with Charlie Morton on regular rest Saturday and Francisco Liriano on three-days rest on Sunday if the game still has playoff ramifications. Locke has faded badly since the All-Star break, posting a 6.12 ERA over 12 starts.

Jeff Locke was pulled after allowing five runs in one inning Sunday in a loss to the Reds.

It was probably Locke's final start of the year, and one wonders if he'll even be included on the Pirates' postseason roster as a reliever, should the team advance. Locke, who was named to the NL All-Star team, has pitched six innings just once in 10 starts. He's 2-5 with a 6.12 ERA since the break.

Jeff Locke was touched up for four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings in Tuesday's loss to the Padres.

A Jedd Gyorko three-run homer in the third got things going, and Locke surrendered a single tally in the fourth. He struck out five but once again struggled with his control. Locke pitched well his previous time out and was decent the time before that, but he regressed again in this one and can't be trusted this weekend against the Reds.

Jeff Locke held the Cubs to one run and three hits in seven innings to win Thursday for the first time since July 21.

Locke had been 0-3 with a 6.57 ERA in his previous eight starts. With a solid finish, he could still be part of the Pirates' postseason rotation, what with Gerrit Cole likely moving to the pen.

Jeff Locke allowed three runs -- two earned -- over five innings in a loss against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Despite the result, it was actually a promising start for the lefty. Locke walked four but gave up just three hits, striking out four. It's been a tough second half for the All-Star, but he'll look to finish strong. He'll have a shot at his first win since July 21 when he takes on the Cubs on Thursday.

Jeff Locke is expected to rejoin the Pirates' starting rotation Saturday against the Cardinals.

Locke had a 7.94 ERA in five August starts and faces a tough matchup in his return on Saturday in St. Louis. The left-hander is no longer a good fantasy option.

Pirates recalled LHP Jeff Locke from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Locke was sent down for a week to get some extra rest. He's expected to rejoin the Pittsburgh starting rotation soon, but the exact date has not been determined. The lefty is no longer trustworthy in fantasy leagues.

Jeff Locke will not start for the Pirates on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Locke is expected to rejoin the rotation, but it apparently won't happen on Tuesday as originally anticipated. The club is getting him some extra rest due to his recent struggles. Gerrit Cole will get the ball on Tuesday.

Jeff Locke expects to rejoin the Pirates' rotation next Tuesday.

Locke will not make his scheduled start on Sunday after being sent to the minors Wednesday, but he indicated that the move was less of a demotion and more a means to get him some extra rest. "I don't think anything is going to change," he said. "This is just a way to give me a blow." The Pirates have yet to announce who will start on Sunday in Locke's place.

Pirates optioned LHP Jeff Locke to Double-A Altoona.

Locke had an ERA of 2.15 just a month ago, but he's really struggled since then, putting up an 8.10 mark to go along with a 2.33 WHIP. He had been slated to start on Sunday against the Cardinals, but the Pirates will obviously have to call someone else up for that outing. Jeanmar Gomez and Brandon Cumpton are options.

Jeff Locke is still listed as the starting pitcher for Sunday against the Cardinals.

Locke has an ugly 7.02 ERA and 31/23 K/BB ratio over his last six starts, but the Pirates aren't ready to make a change in the rotation yet. Still, he can't be trusted in fantasy leagues right now.

Jeff Locke got touched up for five runs on eight hits and two walks over just 4 2/3 frames in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers.

Locke gave up a few infield hits early, but the Brewers made harder contact as the game went on and the lefty continued to struggle with his control. Over his last six starts, Locke holds an unsightly 8.10 ERA and 2.33 WHIP. His rotation spot might not be in jeopardy yet, but he can no longer be trusted in fantasy leagues. Locke gets the Cardinals at home next week.