Pirates’ Jeff Karstens out 10-12 weeks following surgery

If Pittsburgh Pirates fans had any hope of pitcher Jeff Karstens making an impact during the 2013 season, they may want to think again.

Karstens, who has been out with an injury all season, now will be out an additional 10-12 weeks after undergoing surgery to clean up his rotator cuff and labrum, according to the Tribune-Review’s Rob Biertempfel.

October 3, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Karstens (27) looks out over the dugout rail before the game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park. The Atlanta Braves won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

He won’t be able to begin a throwing program until about 12 weeks, so if his season wasn’t in the tank before, it likely is now. The Bucs transferred him to the 60-day DL on May 27.

Karstens, 30, will be eligible for free agency after the season.  Last year for the Bucs, he posted a 3.97 ERA in 90.2 innings. He made 15 starts and four relief appearances but fought injuries again as well.

He was non-tendered after another injury-plagued season, but re-signed for $2.5 million in January, something that likely won’t happen again this offseason, unless it is on a minor-league deal.

With both Jeanmar Gomez and Wandy Rodriguez banged up at the moment, the Bucs need some good news when it comes to their starting pitchers.

Gerrit Cole is expected to make his first MLB start on Tuesday and both Charlie Morton and James McDonald are attempting to work their way back from injuries.

In other injury news, the Pirates placed reliever Jared Hughes on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation and re-called outfielder Alex Presley.