MILWAUKEE -- Doug Mientkiewicz has rejoined the Pirates and right fielder Steve Pearce was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis to make roster room for Mientkiewicz.

Mientkiewicz had been in Pittsburgh to be with his wife, Jodi, who had heart surgery this week.

Tom Gorzelanny has returned from Indianapolis, but Zach Duke is still going to start tonight's game, according to manager John Russell.

Gorzelanny is scheduled to start Saturday night for the Pirates against the Brewers. Paul Maholm will start Sunday and Jeff Karstens will be pushed back to Monday night's game against Chicago at PNC Park.

Karstens will have two extra days between starts this time because, according to manager John Russell, the right-hander's workload this season has been a lot heavier than it was last season.

Also, closer Matt Capps will be activated Saturday. Capps pitched for Altoona Wednesday night and threw a bullpen session Thursday, so he wasn't available to pitch tonight.