Josh

Fogg

Fogg didn’t originally appear in Pittsburgh’s plans, but Sean Burnett’s injury and a strong close to the season may save him. Fogg has allowed four earned runs or less in nine of his last 10 starts.

Zach Duke and Matt Peterson will follow Fogg. Ryan Vogelsong, Dave Williams and Jose Mesa will pitch tomorrow against Manatee Junior College, while the pitchers facing the Yankees Thursday will be Kip Wells, Todd Ritchie and Mike Gonzalez.

Fogg is likely to make one more start before coming off the disabled list.

Fogg struggled for Triple-A Nashville on Friday, so this was expected. He’ll pitch for Nashville again on Wednesday.

Fogg has often been starting off hitters with the pitch in order to try to get ahead of the count. However, with the element of surprise now gone, it may not be such an effective pitch for him.

Fogg, who strained his left oblique on April 20, probably won’t miss too much more time. He could make a rehab start before the end of the week.

He is coming off a 91-pitch win over Milwaukee on Friday and will take the mound on short rest for the first time in his career. The need to move Fogg up is due in part to the expected suspension of reliever Salomon Torres. Torres will likely be suspended today leaving the Pirates short in the bullpen. Ryan Vogelsong, who was originally expected to start tonight, will pitch in relief until Torres returns to active duty.

If Mark Redman is still around, Fogg might be pulled from the rotation after Oliver Perez returns. He’s 5-7 with a 4.96 ERA. Since he’s making $2.15 million this season, he figures to be in danger of being non-tendered if he doesn’t turn things around quickly.

Manager Lloyd McClendon declined to name his starters for the upcoming series against the Rockies, other than Dave Williams Tuesday. Mark Redman has been trying to get out of his start on Wednesday, citing back issues, and Fogg is currently scheduled to pitch on Thursday. The fact McClendon hasn’t committed to Fogg may mean his time as a starter is up. Hopefully that has no impact on most fantasy teams, as he shouldn’t have been starting in fantasy leagues in the first place.

''All the guys are competing for jobs next year,’' manager Lloyd McClendon said. ''That includes Fogg as well as the rest of the guys. You’ve got to go out and pitch well. You’ve got to perform to your capabilities. What you do this year, obviously, is going to weigh heavily on decisions that are made this winter.’' This could be Fogg’s last start of the year.