Pirates move Nicasio to bullpen full time

The Juan Nicasio starting experiment has come to an end for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Manager Clint Hurdle told reporters Friday the right-hander will be moved to the bullpen full time.

A starter has not yet been named to take over what was to be Nicasio's slot on Sunday.

The 29-year-old won a starting job in the Pirates' rotation out of spring training after not allowing a single earned run, but the same results didn't translate over to the regular season, as the Dominican posted a 5.83 ERA across 13 appearances, 12 of which were starts.

Nicasio was converted back into a starter after spending 2015 with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a reliever.

Pittsburgh signed him to a one-year, $3-million contract in December, hoping to strike gold like they've done several times in the past with reclamation pitching projects.

Over the course of his six-year career, he owns a 27-31 record with a 5.00 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 502 2/3 innings of work.