The Pirates are close to a one-year deal with Scott Olsen.

Olsen finished the 2010 season with an ugly 5.56 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, but he should have no problem finding a spot in the Pirates' starting rotation. Granted, we'd stay away from him in fantsy leagues. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com expects the one-year, incentive-laden deal to be finalized soon.

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are "deeply interested" in free agent lefty Scott Olsen.

Olsen was outrighted off the Bucs' 40-man roster in early November and elected to become a free agent. He looked promising at times during the 2010 season but finished with a 5.56 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 81 innings for the Nationals. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him right the wrongs.

Nationals sent LHP Scott Olsen outright to Triple-A Syracuse.

Olsen will become a free agent. The left-hander had a few pretty good starts in 2010 but ultimately ended up with a 5.56 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 81 innings. He simply hasn't been the same pitcher since dealing with shoulder issues.

Scott Olsen has been shut down for the season due to a sore shoulder.

Olsen had shoulder surgery last summer and spent time on the DL earlier this season with soreness in the shoulder, so this certainly didn't come out of nowhere. He's likely to be non-tendered this winter after posting a 5.56 ERA over 81 innings.

Despite four innings of no-hit relief Monday, Scott Olsen reiterated that he would like to be a starting pitcher.

"Obviously, I don't want to be in the bullpen," said Olsen. "I'd rather start. That's not what they want me to do." He's unhappy, but it doesn't look like the Nats will have a change of plans. Yunesky Maya will replace Olsen to make his first major league start Tuesday and Ross Detwiler is probably ahead of him in the pecking order should their be a vacancy over the season's final weeks.

The Nationals have moved Scott Olsen to the bullpen.

It's possible the southpaw will receive a start or two by the end of the season, but for now he'll be used in relief. Olsen has had the occasional impressive start this season, but he's also had some blowups, including in his last start, when he gave up nine runs in just 1 2/3 innings. He holds a 5.88 ERA on the year.

Scott Olsen was ripped for nine earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings against the Marlins on Wednesday night.

This is the third time this season that Olsen hasn't gotten out of the third inning. He's lost six straight starts and is obviously a liability on the mound right now. The loss of zip on his fastball is a major concern.

Scott Olsen gave up three runs over five-plus innings in a loss to the Braves on Tuesday night.

Olsen was perfect through three innings and actually tossed five shutout innings until it all unraveled for him in the sixth. He allowed the first three hitters he faced to reach base by virtue of a pinch-hit solo homer by Diory Hernandez, a triple by Omar Infante and a walk surrendered to Jason Heyward. Joel Peralta allowed the two inherited runners to score, closing the book on Olsen's night. The southpaw has a bloated 8.35 ERA over four starts since returning from the disabled list. He made some progress tonight, but we're not feeling very confident about him as a fantasy option right now.

Scott Olsen lasted just 1 2/3 innings Wednesday, giving up seven runs in the loss to Florida.

The left-hander gave up eight hits and walked two while registering one punchout. This was Olsen's first start since August 3, so perhaps the long layoff worked against him, but we're not betting on it since he was knocked around in that start, too, and he was on regular rest. The Nationals have other rotation options to choose from, so it's not clear if Olsen will get another start. If he does, it will come against the Braves.

Scott Olsen will have his scheduled start Sunday pushed back to Wednesday.

The lefty was bumped for Jason Marquis, who is returning from the disabled list. The news that he's getting another start is huge for Olsen, as he is reaching some very lucrative incentives in his contract. He will get $250,000 for Wednesday's start, another $250,000 if he makes another one and $100,000 for every start from then on out. Olsen holds a 4.12 ERA in 10 starts this season.

Scott Olsen was tagged for five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

Olsen allowed seven hits -- including a solo homer to Stephen Drew in the third and a three-run shot by Mark Reynolds in the fourth -- while striking out two and walking one. He has managed four three strikeouts over his first 11 2/3 innings since coming off the disabled list last week. Naturally, we're not sold on the left-hander, even in NL-only leagues, so he makes for a risky play against the Dodgers this weekend.

Scott Olsen won in his return from the disabled list after allowing three runs in six innings Thursday against the Braves.

Olsen was less than stellar -- we'd compare him to Miss Oklahoma -- but the Braves just aren't hitting at the moment. They scored six runs while winning one out of three in D.C. Olsen allowed five hits, walked two and struck out one. He's not to be trusted in NL-only leagues at the moment.

Nationals activated LHP Scott Olsen from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected, Olsen will oppose Derek Lowe and the Braves on Thursday afternoon. The left-hander had a 3.77 ERA over his first eight starts this season before going on the disabled list with left shoulder soreness on May 22. Temper your expectations for his first start back.

Scott Olsen will be activated from the disabled list to pitch against the Braves on Thursday.

Olsen threw a bullpen session instead of a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday night, so it was pretty easy to see that something was up. The left-hander gave up gave up three runs over five innings in a rehab start for Single-A Potomac last Thursday. He has been on the disabled list since late May with inflammation in his surgically-repaired right shoulder. Craig Stammen and Ross Detwiler will follow him in the rotation.

Scott Olsen (shoulder) was scratched from Tuesday's start with Triple-A Syracuse and will throw a side session instead.

The Nationals need someone to replace the injured J.D. Martin this weekend, so this could be an indication that Olsen is ready to return. The southpaw has been sidelined since late May due to left shoulder inflammation.

Scott Olsen (shoulder) will make his next rehab start at Single-A Potomac.

Olsen allowed one run in four innings over the weekend during a start at Single-A Hagerstown. He will slowly make his way through the Nationals' farm system until he is given clearance to rejoin the big league club, likely in mid-August. Olsen has been on the disabled list since May 22.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that Scott Olsen (shoulder) is just beginning a throwing program in Viera, Fla.

While that qualifies as progress, Rizzo wouldn't offer a date on a possible minor league rehab assignment. Olsen has been on the disabled list since May 22 with with inflammation in his surgically-repaired left shoulder.

According to his agent, Scott Olsen is aiming to rejoin the Nationals in 3-4 weeks.

Olsen has been playing catch in Florida the last few days. He's missed the last four weeks with inflammation in his surgically repaired left shoulder.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that Scott Olsen (shoulder) still hasn't resumed throwing.

The Nationals have sent the left-hander to extended spring training, but there's no timetable for his return. The southpaw has been shut down since feeling weakness in his shoulder following a mound session last week.

Scott Olsen has suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder tightness.

"It's just not really feeling as good as he had hoped," Nats manager Jim Riggleman said Wednesday. "The last couple times he went out and threw, he said, 'You know what? I just don't feel right.'" He's shut down at the moment and it's not known when he will resume his throwing program.