Jeff Karstens (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday.

Jeff Karstens (shoulder) threw a 34-pitch simulated game Friday.

Karstens' next appearances is expected to be in a Grapefruit League contest. The right-hander has been slowed this spring by some soreness in his pitching shoulder, but he's not too far behind schedule and should have time to get ready by Opening Day.

Jeff Karstens (shoulder) is slated to throw live batting practice Tuesday.

Karstens has been held out of game action due to some soreness in his pitching shoulder, but he's not too far behind schedule. Barring a setback, he'll be ready to take his first turn in the rotation once the regular season begins.

Jeff Karstens threw a successful 40-pitch bullpen session Saturday.

According to manager Clint Hurdle the session "went a little longer than expected, which was good." Karstens will next throw live batting practice next week. The 30-year-old had a 3.97 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 2012 and should regain a spot in the Pirates' rotation once healthy.

Jeff Karstens (biceps) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday.

Karstens plans to incorporate all of his pitches, which is a good sign that he is over his recent biceps tendinitis. If all goes well, he'll progress to live batting practice before making his spring debut.

Jeff Karstens (biceps) played light catch for the second straight day Wednesday.

Karstens was scratched from a live batting practice session Monday due to a slight case of tendinitis in his right biceps. It sounds like he's nearly back on track, as Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said the righty "felt the same as he did [Tuesday], in a good way." It's not clear when he'll try throwing from a mound again.

Jeff Karstens was scratched from throwing a scheduled batting practice session because of "a little soreness" in his right biceps.

"I just want to play it smart," said Karstens. "It doesn't make any sense to push it," he said. "I'll still play catch (on flat ground). We just want to be smart about this, wait a couple days." Karstens was limited to just 90 2/3 innings last season due to a shoulder issue and a hip flexor injury, so there's no reason to take any chances this early.

Pirates re-signed RHP Jeff Karstens to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.

The deal was reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earlier this week and is now official. Karstens will return as an insurance policy with the Francisco Liriano deal still not finalized. While his lack of an outpitch remains a problem, he should compete for a rotation spot with the Pirates in spring training.

Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates and Jeff Karstens have agreed to a one-year contract, pending a physical.

No word yet on the terms involved. Karstens was non-tendered by the Pirates in late-November, so it's a bit of a surprise to see him back. It's not clear whether this will close the door on the team working out a contract with Francisco Liriano.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have interest in free agent Jeff Karstens.

Karstens was non-tendered by the Pirates last month after posting 3.97 ERA over 90 2/3 innings as a part-time starter in 2012. While his lack of an outpitch remains a problem, he should have no trouble finding a guaranteed contract this offseason. If signed, Karstens would represent an upgrade to Colorado's rotation.

The Pirates will not tender Jeff Karstens a contract.

It's not a surprise, as Karstens was due a raise after making $3.1 million in 2012. He'll have no trouble catching on somewhere, though, as Karstens was a pretty useful piece for the Bucs over the last two seasons, posting a 3.38 ERA over 162 1/3 innings in 2011 and a 3.97 mark over 90 2/3 frames in 2012.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Friday that Jeff Karstens will remain in the bullpen for the rest of the season.

Hurdle previously left open the possibility that Karstens could make another start, but they'll move ahead with A.J. Burnett, Kyle McPherson, Wandy Rodriguez, Jeff Locke and Kevin Correia in the rotation. Karstens has a 4.01 ERA and 65/15 K/BB in 89 2/3 innings this year.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said he will "look for more opportunities" for Jeff Karstens but isn't sure when or if the righty will get a start down the stretch.

Karstens looked good in a relief appearance Wednesday, allowing a run on two hits over three innings in his first game back from a hip injury. "We'll continue to look at the schedule and keep our temperature on the guys that are pitching and see what might break for Jeff," Hurdle said. Jeff Locke has allowed five runs in two of his three starts, and Kyle McPherson struggled in his first majors league start Wednesday, so it's a little strange that Karstens, who has a 3.55 ERA and 1.19 WHIP since the start of 2011, hasn't been re-inserted into the rotation already.

Jeff Karstens (hip) surrendered one earned run in three innings Wednesday night against the Brewers.

It was the right-hander's first taste of action since August 31. He has a 3.86 ERA in 86 1/3 frames this season.

Jeff Karstens returned to action on Wednesday September 19.

Jeff Karstens (hip) will be available out of the bullpen this weekend.

The Pirates aren't ready to throw him back into the rotation just yet, but they've also noted that Jeff Locke won't necessarily keep his spot. It's a fluid situation, as they would also like to give Kyle McPherson a start or two.

Jeff Karstens (hip) said he was "pain-free" during a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday.

He threw 60 pitches overall when you include 30 warm-up tosses. It's not clear when Karstens will rejoin the Pirates' rotation, but it shouldn't be long. Jeff Locke will be moved back into a long relief role.

Jeff Karstens (hip) will throw a simulated game Tuesday.

Karstens, who is dealing with a hip flexor injury, made it through a bullpen session Saturday with no issues. If he makes it through Tuesday's simulated game, he could conceivably be ready for a start by next weekend.

Jeff Karstens (hip flexor) is expected to miss "at least" one start, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Jeff Karstens left Friday's start against the Brewers in the first inning with right hip flexor discomfort.

Karstens was previously dealing with a left groin injury, so it's not clear if this is a new injury. Either way, he's obviously not 100 percent. He was tagged for four runs on five hits (including a two-run homer) before being replaced by Kyle McPherson.