PITTSBURGH -- Starling Marte headed to the 10-day disabled list on Friday (retroactive to May 16) with a right oblique strain. In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled Austin Meadows, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
Marte exited Tuesday's game after one inning due to what's officially been labeled "right side discomfort." Marte revealed on Wednesday it was an oblique injury, but said he did not believe he'll need to go on the disabled list.  
With the move backdated, Marte is eligible to return May 26. On Thursday, manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates were considering not only Marte's health in their decision, but also their schedule, which includes a tough stretch against the Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers and D-backs from May 25-June 13.
"It's getting to the point where we'd like to make a decision for him, for us," Hurdle said before Thursday's 5-4 win over the Padres at PNC Park.
Without Marte or Meadows on Thursday, Pittsburgh kept rolling with Sean Rodriguez in center field. Rodriguez replaced Marte in center on Tuesday, started there on Wednesday and returned for Thursday's series opener. Rodriguez moved to second base, with Adam Frazier going to center, for the final two innings of Wednesday's 3-2 win over the White Sox.
Rodriguez has fielded batting-practice fly balls in center field throughout his career, so the assignment is not an uncomfortable one for the veteran super-utility man. Rodriguez has played 23 games in center in his career, including 12 for the Pirates.
"I get work out there every day. I feel just as comfortable there as I do at second and short, probably more comfortable than I do in the middle [infield], because I have that much more time [to react] out in the outfield," Rodriguez said. "Granted, I don't run like Marte does. I don't run like most center fielders, but I feel comfortable. The biggest thing is the fact that Clint feels confident enough to know that he can throw me out there and I can handle it."
Hurdle said he doesn't want to force Rodriguez to start in center for two straight weeks, but he is confident Rodriguez is up to the challenge of filling in there.
"Defensive reliability. An accurate throwing arm. Lateral movement. Range," Hurdle said. "He looks graceful. He looks like he's played there a lot. There's a bunch to like with Sean in center field."
 Around the horn
• Catcher Francisco Cervelli (right forearm discomfort) returned to the lineup on Thursday, batting third against Padres left-hander Eric Lauer. Cervelli missed only one game after he was struck in the forearm with a 93.6-mph fastball on Tuesday.

• Josh Harrison (fractured left hand) continued his rehab assignment on Thursday with Double-A Altoona, batting leadoff and playing second base. Altoona's game on Wednesday was rained out.
• David Freese started at third base on Thursday, his second straight day starting against a left-handed pitcher. Hurdle said Colin Moran will return to the lineup soon, likely Friday against right-hander Tyson Ross, and will get a chance to face lefty starters as the season progresses.
Moran entered Thursday with the highest batting average (.292) and on-base percentage (.382) among National League rookies. Moran has started 32 games at third base this season, with Freese making the other 11 starts.