Major League Baseball

Pirates won't promote Lincoln to face Strasburg

Published Jun. 4, 2010 11:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Pirates will start right-hander Jeff Karstens against Stephen Strasburg in the Nationals rookie's much-anticipated major league debut Tuesday, passing up the opportunity to match their top pitching prospect against Washington's.

Brad Lincoln, the Pirates' first-round pick in 2006, appears ready for a promotion after going 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. He has allowed three runs in 19 innings in his last two starts, and is on schedule to start Tuesday.

However, the Pirates seem reluctant to send out their best prospect in such a closely watched game, even though Lincoln said he would welcome the chance to oppose Strasburg.

Karstens, who began the season in the minors, is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 games, including four starts.