PITTSBURGH - A.J. Burnett pitched Saturday night, as scheduled.
The difference was he was pitching at PNC Park instead of Blair County Ballpark.
Burnett was scheduled for one more rehab start with the Curve when an injury to Kevin Correia changed the Pittsburgh Pirates' plans.
Correia reported soreness in his left side on Thursday, an open date in the schedule.
"He had no idea where it came from," manager Clint Hurdle said before Saturday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Pirates had Correia throw on Friday, and he said he still had soreness.
The team sent him for an MRI because Correia had a left oblique injury last year that ended his season in late August.
The MRI showed no problem, so the Pirates had Correia throw in the bullpen on Saturday afternoon.
"That took him out of pitching tonight," Hurdle said.
That left the Pirates searching for a new starter. Detouring Burnett was the least disruptive solution.
"You can move everybody up a day or go get A.J.," Hurdle said. "This leaves three pitchers in their proper place. We try to make common sense decisions."
Burnett went on the disabled list in spring training after his orbital bone was broken by a batted ball in a bunting drill.
Hurdle said Correia could possibly start Monday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies. Brad Lincoln is listed as the probable starter now.
It's also possible no one will pitch on Monday. The forecast calls for a high temperature of 35 with snow flurries.
Hughes out
Righthanded reliever Jared Hughes was optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis to open a roster spot for Burnett.
The demotion wasn't performance-related, but a matter of necessity.
Hughes pitched three innings in Friday's game, so he would have been unavailable for the remainder of the weekend series anyway.
"I'm sure we'll see him back sooner than later," Hurdle said.
