Ortiz set to make first start with Astros

The last time Russ Ortiz started a Major League game was Aug. 20, 2007, with the San Francisco Giants. If it weren't for two relief appearances to keep him sharp over the season's opening week, he'd be entering Thursday's start -- his first with the Astros -- on 604 days' rest.

Ortiz missed all of the 2008 season following Tommy John surgery, then joined the Astros to compete for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. A 2.97 ERA in Spring Training won him the job, but as is often the case early in the season, he's had to wait to finally be needed as a starter.

"It's not as big a thing since I was able to get in a couple of games," said Ortiz, who has logged four relief innings this season. "I think I'd be a little more anxious if I hadn't pitched yet. It worked out nice, because they made sure to try and get me in. I feel like I haven't missed a step since Spring Training. That's the only thing I wanted to make sure was there, is that everything felt normal, that I didn't feel off or uncomfortable."

Ortiz was definitely out of his comfort zone trying to come out of the 'pen, even if it was useful to keep him ready. The 34-year-old has 253 big league starts under his belt, and the usual starting routine has become almost a muscle memory thing for the right-hander who has spent parts of 11 seasons in the Majors.

"That's exactly what it is for me," Ortiz said. "I've come out of the 'pen a couple times, but I'm obviously not used to that as much as I'm used to starting. I'm not used to getting up and getting hot right away. That's why I'm looking forward to it now. I just build and build and build and get to my high point right before the game and try to sustain that the whole time."

It might help that he's got an .889 career winning percentage against the Pirates. That might cushion the fact that Ortiz's spot in the rotation was skipped the first time around. As is often the case early in the season with days off, the No. 5 starter is often the odd-man out to keep the other members of the rotation on regular rest. It might not be what he's used to, but it's not like Ortiz didn't know it was coming.

"This is the first time that I've have been skipped in the rotation ever in the regular season," Ortiz said. "That's the way it is. I came in to win the last spot, and that's sometimes what happens. But they did a great job with me trying to get me in."

Pitching matchup
HOU: RHP Russ Ortiz (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
Ortiz will make his first start of the season when he takes the hill against the Pirates in the series finale. The right-hander threw 73 pitches in a relief appearance on April 8 after Brian Moehler was knocked from the game in the second inning. Ortiz has had success over the Bucs through his career, logging eight wins and one loss and a 3.20 ERA over 14 games (13 starts).

PIT: RHP Jeff Karstens (2-6, 4.03 ERA in 2008)
Karstens' scheduled season debut was rained out Friday in Cincinnati, and he was temporarily moved to the bullpen in preparation for his this one. Karstens earned the rotation's final spot in the last week of Spring Training by beating out fellow right-hander Virgil Vasquez. Karstens makes a living on being efficient and having stellar command. He's not going to overpower hitters, but he's on when the ground balls are coming easily. Karstens, who came to Pittsburgh in a July deadline deal with the Yankees, allowed 11 earned runs in his final 13 2/3 spring innings.

Tidbits
Brandon Backe threw another bullpen session on Wednesday and reported no ill effects. On the disabled list with a left intercostal strain, the right-hander threw 60 pitches in total. He threw 40 to warm up. Then he sat for five minutes before throwing another 20 to simulate a game-like situation. "I was throwing to imaginary hitters," Backe said. "I walked one, then struck everyone else out. I didn't want to dominate too much out there." Backe thought he'd throw again on Saturday, but wasn't sure if it would be another bullpen session or if he'd be able to take the next step and throw to live hitters.

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Up next
• Friday: Astros (Roy Oswalt, 0-2, 6.23) vs. Reds (Johnny Cueto, 0-1, 6.00), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Astros (Wandy Rodriguez, 0-1, 3.00) vs. Reds (Aaron Harang, 1-1, 0.64), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Astros (TBD) vs. Reds (Edinson Volquez, 1-1, 9.64), 1:05 p.m. CT