PITTSBURGH -- Pirates rookie right-hander Jameson Taillon and catcher Francisco Cervelli came off the disabled list prior to Tuesday's game against the Brewers.
Right-hander Chad Kuhl was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis and catcher Erik Kratz was designated for assignment. Taillon was scheduled to start against Milwaukee at PNC Park.
Cervelli, out since June 11 while recovering from surgery on a broken left hamate bone, went 4-for-10 with three walks and an RBI in three rehab games with Indianapolis.
Taillon had been out since the end of June with mild arm fatigue, with his stay on the DL serving largely as an opportunity for Pittsburgh to rest the 24-year-old. In five starts before heading to the DL, the club's No. 4 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, struck out 21 batters and walked only five, posting a 3.86 ERA.
Jeff Locke will start Wednesday and Francisco Liriano will take the mound on Thursday. The Bucs had previously indicated Locke would pitch Tuesday, but they changed course with Taillon ready to go. Despite a spate of upcoming off-days, manager Clint Hurdle said he planned to keep Gerrit Cole and Liriano on a typical every-fifth-day routine, and he might do the same with a third pitcher -- likely Taillon.
The Pirates' rotation has been in flux in recent weeks behind Cole and Liriano. Pittsburgh moved Jonathon Niese to the bullpen and sent Tyler Glasnow to Triple-A to start the second half, while keeping Kuhl and Locke in the Majors despite their struggles. The Bucs are reportedly interested in trading for a starting pitcher such as the Yankees' Nathan Eovaldi.