The Pirates' management is discussing a plan to curtail the innings pitched by its four young starters the rest of the season.

And that could spell an early end, specifically, for Tom Gorzelanny.

"We have some very special talents here, and we want to make sure we're taking care of these arms," manager Jim Tracy said. "That's the most important thing."

		MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Wednesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (67-57) beat Norfolk, 5-4. LHP Shane Youman (2-0, 6.14) allowed one run and seven hits in five innings. He struck out none, walked four and threw 47 of 84 pitches for strikes. RHP Jonah Bayliss (1.83) allowed a run in the ninth but recorded his 21st save. CF Vic Buttler (.125) went 1 for 4 with a double, a walk and a steal. ALTOONA (68-53) lost at Connecticut, 4-1. RHP Jason Roach (6-5, 3.12) allowed four runs, one earned, in five innings. LHP Dave Davidson (0.00) pitched two perfect innings of relief and struck out two. CF Andrew McCutchen (.250) went 1 for 4 with the team?s lone RBI. C Neil Walker (.143) went 0 for 3 and committed a passed ball. LYNCHBURG (52-69) beat Myrtle Beach, 8-1. RHP Luis Munoz (2-3, 4.02) allowed one run in seven innings. 1B Mike Carlin (.269) went 3 for 5 with his 13th home run and two RBIs. HICKORY (60-61) lost at West Virginia, 6-4. RHP Jared Hughes (3-3, 5.66) allowed four runs in five innings. RF Brad Corley (.289) went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs. WILLIAMSPORT (17-35) was off.

Most studies show that a pitcher should not exceed his previous career high for innings in a season by 30 or more. The Pirates' policy through their system is more stringent than that, though, capping the increase at 20.

If that policy is applied to the current youngsters in their rotation -- all four of whom were in Class AAA as recently as last year -- it could affect all but Zach Duke, based on how deep into games they pitch. But it most likely will affect only one dramatically.

Gorzelanny, summoned to the majors in July, currently is at 145 1/3 innings, including his three months in Indianapolis. He pitched 135 1/3 last year, but his career high was 148 2/3 the previous year. That puts him roughly three average starts -- six innings or so -- away.

The Pirates have 41 games left, so the typical rotation would see each starter pitch eight more times.

Tracy would not identify which pitchers might get slowed or shut down, but he did acknowledge that a six-man rotation was being considered for September to address the matter.

"It's an option," he said.

In all likelihood, the starter added to the mix would be Victor Santos.

A six-man rotation also would help the sole veteran of the group, Shawn Chacon. He just missed a start because of a nagging injury to his right knee, and he would benefit from extra recovery time between outings.

Chacon said he believes the injury is a torn meniscus, based on having had such trouble twice before, but he said he will not be certain until he has offseason arthroscopic surgery.

Korean star scouted

The Pirates are among several teams scouting Korean first baseman Seung-Yeop Lee, whose 36 home runs as a member of the Yomiuri Giants lead Japan's premier league.

Lee, who turned 30 last week, is batting .324 with 79 RBIs while chasing the Japanese record of 55 home runs in a season, set by the legendary Sadaharu Oh in 1964 and matched by Tuffy Rhodes in 2001. He has 404 for his career, making him and Oh the only players in league history to hit 400 before age 30.

He is making $1.83 million with Yomiuri and will not leave for less, but he has indicated he plans to head to Major League Baseball next season. The New York Yankees -- no surprise -- are thought to have the inside track.

Bay back tomorrow

There is a "strong chance" left fielder Jason Bay -- who flied out to deep left as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning yesterday -- will rejoin the starting lineup tomorrow in Cincinnati, Tracy said.

Bay ran before the game yesterday and, by all accounts, showed marked improvement in his strained right hamstring.

Doumit at first base

The Pirates might have revealed plenty about their plan for Ryan Doumit by playing him at first base yesterday for Bradenton of the Gulf Coast League. It was his third rehabilitation game, his first coming at catcher and the next as designated hitter.

He played an error-free game, but he continued to struggle at the plate in going 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Since returning, he is hitless in 10 at-bats.

Buried treasure

Shortstop Jack Wilson, out since being hit by a pitch on the right hand Monday, took five swings in the batting cage yesterday and was considered too sore to hit. But he batted anyway, in the 11th, and grounded out. His status is uncertain for tomorrow, Tracy said.

Chacon's side session yesterday morning went off without trouble from his knee, and he is set to return Sunday in Cincinnati. "Good to go," Chacon said.

Starter Brad Lincoln, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in June, resumed a throwing program yesterday with Class A Hickory. He has been out since Aug. 6 because of a strained oblique.

John Van Benschoten's next rehabilitation start will come Sunday, again with Class AA Altoona.