Major League Baseball

Pirates keeping Locke in rotation

Published Jun. 2, 2015 1:09 a.m. ET

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Jeff Locke's last start was ugly to say the least, but the Pirates still have faith in the left-hander.

“I wanted to set the tone right away, let everyone know he's getting the ball,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told Pirates.com.

Locke gave up seven runs in four innings last time out, but will take the ball Saturday against the Braves as he looks to get back on track.

Despite the ugliness of Locke's start, Hurdle knows the young left-hander is full of talent and believes that – with some minor adjustments through the week – Locke can work his way through the growing pains.

“We are going to have patience with Jeff,” Hurdle said. “We believe the upside is very real: A young lefty pitcher with some velocity to the fastball, he can two-seam it, throws the change. The outings have not been what he wants or what we need. He's cutting some teeth now.

“It goes with experience, knowing how to deal with adversity. When you don't have your 'A' game -- and you can't hope to have your best stuff every time out -- you've got to find a 'B' game.”

(h/t Pirates.com)

Photo Credit: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

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