Locke scratched Wednesday with right-side discomfort

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Jeff Locke's hopes of continuing to pull away from a 2013 second-half slump have hit a pothole.

The left-hander had to be scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday in Dunedin, Fla., against the Blue Jays when he reported discomfort in his right side.

Locke, diagnosed with tightness, will give way to Jay Jackson. A 26-year-old righty who has spent six years in the organizations of the Cubs and Marlins, Jackson has pitched two shutout innings in relief this spring.

Locke was sporting therapeutic bandage strips in the affected area Tuesday morning in the Pirates' McKechnie Field clubhouse.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle could not provide an update on his pitcher's status following the Pirates' 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.