Pirates activate Takahashi, place Qualls on DL

PITTSBURGH -- Left-hander Hisanori Takahashi has been activated by the Pirates and is available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

To accommodate Takahashi on the 25-man roster, right-handed reliever Chad Qualls was placed on the 15-day disabled list with "irritation in his left big toe."

Qualls, who had pitched a hitless inning in Friday night's series opener with Milwaukee, going on the DL at least implied injuries suffered by outfielder Jose Tabata and starting pitcher Jeff Karstens in Saturday night's game were diagnosed to not be serious enough for DL consideration.

Both Tabata, who tweaked his left groin running the bases, and Karstens, who felt discomfort in his right-groin area while delivering an eighth-inning pitch, were given further medical and physical tests prior to Sunday's game.

Tabata was kept out of the starting lineup, but was deemed available off the bench.