A pitcher coming off major elbow surgery is supposed to need 12-18 months to return to competition.

Brad Lincoln was back in 12.

Once that pitcher returns, it is expected that he will struggle with command and velocity.

When Lincoln, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2006, takes the mound this afternoon for Class A Hickory, he will do so with the following numbers through his first four post-rehabilitation starts: 3-1 record, 2.01 ERA, 15 strikeouts and, most impressive, one walk in 22 1/3 innings.

Moreover, his fastball is getting clocked in a range of 90-94 mph, and he is using his other two pitches -- a changeup and a hammer curveball -- as well.

Did he not get the memo?

"People can say what they want about how it's supposed to go, but I think it's just about taking care of what you have to do to get prepared," Lincoln said by phone this week from Asheville, N.C. "I know I wanted and needed to come back and pitch like I used to. It's a mind-set. You have to tell yourself, 'I've done it before, and I can do it again.' I think I've done that."

Lincoln, known for his intensity dating to his days at the University of Houston, has blown away the Pirates' development types with his commitment during a rehabilitation that began with the elbow surgery April 3, 2007. He reported to spring training ready to throw and made his first start for Hickory May 18. His line that day was one run and four hits over five innings, the latter figure standing out because he is being held to tighter pitch counts than anyone at that level.

"I think the pitch counts have helped me," Lincoln said. "I always have in the back of my mind that I have a limited amount of bullets to throw each inning, each game, so I want to use them efficiently."

Could a promotion be next?

That, too, seemed unthinkable for 2008.

"I'd love to move up, but that's not really what I'm thinking about. If I continue to stay healthy and pitch well, that's all I'm looking for this year. Hey, I wasn't supposed to be pitching until August. I'm just happy to be throwing against people wearing another uniform. To be doing well is a bonus."

The ultimate shake-off

There is no sign that the lunatics are running the asylum, but it should not be dismissed that the Pirates' pitchers -- unwittingly, in most cases -- played a role in management's decision to keep Raul Chavez and demote Ronny Paulino.

There had been a sense most of the season that pitchers felt uneasy throwing breaking pitches in certain situations, particularly with a runner on third. There also had been a sense that they struggled to find a rhythm in terms of wanting the same pitch at the same time. This was not unique to Paulino. Depending on the day or outcome, it could be the case with Doumit, too, although his defensive work has improved markedly this summer.

Thus, when management saw all this and then, most important, saw how positively the pitchers reacted to Chavez, it was decided that a change was in order. Paulino's continuing struggles at the plate and behind it made the call fairly easy.

The true Cubs factor

If it seems, with first-place Arizona in town this weekend, that the Pirates have been playing mostly good teams to this point in the season, there is cause to feel that way.

According to a strength-of-schedule tool on ESPN.com, one that is updated daily, the Pirates have played the toughest schedule of any team in Major League Baseball with a .528 measure. The Tampa Bay Rays, who have competed in the mighty American League East, are second, just decimal points back. The next three are the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals.

What does it mean?

In the Pirates' case, it has mostly to do with having faced the Chicago Cubs 12 times already ... and going 3-9. The Cubs have the best record in the majors.

"We have more good teams coming up, too," center fielder Nate McLouth mentioned when this was relayed.

"The Orioles, White Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays ... but you know what? I don't know how much that matters if you look at the schedule as a whole. Everybody in our division has a similar schedule."

Except for one facet, which he point out unsolicited.

"The travel schedule is the part that stands out for me."

McLouth was referring to the Pirates being the only team in the National League's Central and East divisions that has to make five separate trips to play their five series against teams in the West.

Dueling emergency pitchers

Adam LaRoche has made no secret of his desire to pitch in a game. He is the son of All-Star reliever Dave LaRoche, grew up on the mound and even pitched once professionally, for Class A Myrtle Beach in the Atlanta system in 2002.

But he is not the only one hoping to become the Pirates' first position player to pitch since Abraham Nunez retired the only batter he faced May 30, 2004, in a 12-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind doing it," third baseman Jose Bautista said. "But I don't know that I want to do it that badly. It's been a long time."

It goes back to 2001, when he was a starter and sometimes closer for Chipola Community College in Florida. His final game came May 13 of that year, a seven-strikeout shutout that earned him MVP honors of the state final.

"I threw all right, around 92, 93 miles an hour," Bautista said. "But the biggest thing for me and the pitching, I think, was that it helped my arm strength and my ability to make throws from third. If I didn't pitch, I'm not sure I would have had that."

Which might explain why it remains common to see Bautista throw from a full windup to catchers before afternoon workouts.

"Nah. Just having fun."