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CINCINNATI -- Ross Ohlendorf will continue his audition tonight for a spot in the Pirates' starting rotation next season.
The right-hander acquired July 26 from the New York Yankees in the Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte trade earned rave reviews during his seven starts for Class AAA Indianapolis after the deal.
Now he'll take his campaign to a higher level when he makes his first major league start.
"He's aggressive, throws strikes and he's strong," manager John Russell said. "In the late innings, he's still throwing 95 [mph] and getting close to 98, 99 when he needs it.
"He's got some pitches and that can be exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing him."
Russell isn't alone in that regard.
STATE COLLEGE (16-54) lost to Batavia, 10-2. RHP Carlos Amaro (1-1, 1.99) allowed one unearned run and two hits in three innings. LF Quincy Latimore (.241) went 2 for 4 with a triple.
The Pirates changed their September pitching plans to enable Ohlendorf to get five starts instead of four. To do that, they pushed Zach Duke, who was originally scheduled to start tonight, back two days until Friday night in San Francisco.
Ohlendorf, 26, has made 31 big league appearances -- all in relief for the Yankees.
"I've always liked starting, so I'm really excited about [tonight]," he said. "I'd read online that I was probably going to start [with the Pirates] at some point.
"I don't know what their plans are [for next year], but I know they have some other pitchers who have done well. But it's definitely important to do well."
Ohlendorf, 6 feet 4 and 235 pounds, was 4-3 with a 3.47 earned-run average in his seven starts for Indianapolis.
"He was consistent at 96 with his fastball," catcher Ronny Paulino said. "He had good command of his changeup. He always has a plan."
Ohlendorf put the changeup back in his repertoire after the trade. He threw it a lot as a starter in the Arizona organization before going to the Yankees in the Randy Johnson deal Jan. 9, 2007. The Yankees wanted him to be a power pitcher in relief and had him drop the changeup.
"He's really taken off with the changeup," Russell said.
Ohlendorf, from Princeton University, signed with Arizona in 2004 after the Diamondbacks took him in the fourth round of the draft that year.
Manager Trent Jewett and hitting instructor Hensley Meulens won't return to Indianapolis next season.
The Pirates don't plan to announce this, but the move became official after Indianapolis' season ended Monday.
"My only comment is that I personally have a ton of respect for Trent and [Meulens]," said Kyle Stark, the Pirates' minor league director. "They're quality people and good baseball people."
Jewett, 44, had been with the Pirates since 1987, first as a catcher in the minor leagues and then for 15 seasons as a manager in their minor league system. He also was their third base coach for 2 1/2 seasons early in this decade.
"It was time for me to move on, is what it boils down to," Jewett said.
He plans to remain in baseball.
"I want to do something significant -- a job that fits me the best," he said. "I think I'm versatile. I think there are a lot of things I can do. It will all play out."
Shortstop Jack Wilson might miss all three games in Cincinnati because of his sore right index finger, which he injured Sunday on a grounder.
"I'm sure it would throb if he had to make a throw," Russell said. "Or he had to swing a bit, it would throb."
Freddy Sanchez was a healthy scratch, with Luis Rivas starting in his place at second base last night.
Infielder Luis Cruz, one of 10 players called up from Indianapolis, had to be added to the 40-man roster. To make room for him, the Pirates released right-hander Ty Taubenheim.
