The Pirates will skip Jeff Karstens' next turn in the starting rotation tomorrow and, given the lateness of the season, might not have him pitch again.

Brian Burres will take the start tomorrow against the Atlanta Braves, and Karstens will be re-evaluated later in the week.

Manager John Russell described the arm as being generally "cranky." Karstens cited only the shoulder, but he did not seem terribly worried about it, saying the arm felt "amazing" after his most recent start, Aug. 31 in Chicago, where he held the Cubs to two runs and four hits over six innings while striking out six.

Skipping even one start at this point can put the rest of the season in jeopardy, with only 27 games left.

Karstens is 3-10 with a 4.88 ERA in 25 appearances, including 19 starts.

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