The Pirates this afternoon cut loose starter-reliever Jeff Karstens and officially added hard-throwing reliever Ramon Aguero, outfielder Gorkys Hernandez plus starters Brad Lincoln and Bryan Morris to their 40-man roster, thus protecting those minor leaguers from being exposed for other teams to choose in the Rule 5 draft Dec. 10.

In announcing the shuffling, the Pirates designated Karstens, catcher Robinzon Diaz -- behind Ryan Doumit and Jason Jaromillo on the depth chart and out of minor-league options -- and newly acquired reliever Justin Thomas for assignment, leaving them available. Thomas was claimed off waivers from Seattle three weeks ago.

The move with Karstens, who went 4-6 with a 5.42 ERA last season, was a bit of a surprise -- though he likewise was out of minor-league options.

Karstens' departure allowed the Pirates to claim right-handed pitcher Chris Jakubauskas off waivers from Seattle. Jakubauskas, 30, was 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 35 games last season, eight of them as a starter. He and the four minor-leaguers brought the Pirates to a full 40-man contingent, meaning they would have to create space to add a minor-leaguer in the Rule 5 draft or a free-agent signing.

By designating them, the Pirates have 10 days to waive, trade or release Diaz and Thomas. Karstens was placed on waivers.

Injured relievers Jose Ascanio and Evan Meek were reinstated to the roster from the disabled list, as expected.

The only addition that would be considered mildly surprising is Aguero, signed four years ago as a free agent from the Dominican Republic. Aguero pitched in three levels last summer, with Class A West Virginia, advanced Class A Lynchburg and Class AA Altoona, compiling four saves, a 2-4 record and a 3.86 ERA while striking out 75 in 84 innings.

Morris, acquired from Los Angeles as a key cog in the three-team trade sending Jason Bay to Boston and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, was suspended once this summer and continues to be plagued by injuries. He went 4-9 with a 5.57 ERA in 15 starts with Lynchburg.

Hernandez, who came from Atlanta in the Nate McLouth trade last June, hit .262 with three homers and 31 RBIs with Altoona and finished the season with an 11-game hitting streak.

Lincoln, the fourth overall selection in the 2006 draft, went 7-9 with a 3.37 ERA combined with Altoona and Class AAA Indianapolis last summer, then helped Team USA win the Baseball World Cup in September.

Among those Pirates prospects left exposed for the Rule 5 draft are second basemen Shelby Ford and Pitt's Jim Negrych.

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