Pirates continue game of rotation roulette

By Tom Singer

June 23, 2013

ANAHEIM -- Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and general manager Neal Huntington were again playing with their primary colors on Sunday.

Explanation: Huntington has referred to Pittsburgh's fluid starting rotation as a "Rubik's Cube Rotation," and the pieces were on the move:

• Jeanmar Gomez, still on the disabled list -- where he was placed on June 3 with forearm tightness -- has officially been designated as the starter for Wednesday's game in Seattle.

• Consequently, rookie Gerrit Cole's next start has been pushed back to Friday, the opener of a six-game homestand. Cole will make that start against Milwaukee on six days' rest.

• Wandy Rodriguez (forearm tightness) could make a quick return, after only one Triple-A rehab start, which he made Sunday. The lefty targeted 65 pitches.

"We'll see how he feels today, and the feedback we get from that," Hurdle said. "Whether he needs to go back out, or will be ready to play. So a lot of dominoes will fall after that."

One of those dominoes will involve another incumbent rotation cog, James McDonald, whose 30-day rehab assignment expires Tuesday. The club will then have to either activate the right-hander or seeks ways to move him.

Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer.