PITTSBURGH -- Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove was scratched from his scheduled start against the St. Louis Cardinals because of right foot discomfort.
Rookie right-hander Alex McRae got the start in Musgrove's place Friday night against the National League Central-leading Cardinals. McRae entered the night 0-3 with a 9.98 ERA in six games, including one start.
McRae allowed two earned runs on three hits over five innings but didn't get the decision in the Pirates' 9-4 victory.
Musgrove is 9-12 with a 4.67 ERA in 29 games this season, all but one of them as a starter.
After the game, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said it was uncertain if Musgrove would be ready to pitch when his turn in the rotation next comes up Wednesday at San Francisco.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.