Pirates may call up top pitching prospect Brad Lincoln this week

Pirates may call up Lincoln this week

PITTSBURGH — Pirates pitching prospect Brad Lincoln may make his major league debut in Washington after all. Just not against the Nationals’ much-touted Stephen Strasburg.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington says Lincoln might be called up to start Wednesday against the Nationals, a night after Strasburg makes his anticipated debut.

Lincoln was the Pirates’ 2006 first-round draft pick. He’s 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Lincoln says he would welcome opposing Strasburg, but the Pirates appear reluctant to pitch him under such circumstances.

Only last week, Huntington hinted Lincoln wasn’t ready to be recalled.