"Left-hander Scott Olsen will not be with the Pirates in one week when they leave spring training camp and get ready for the start of the regular season.

"I won't be starting any season anywhere," Olsen said. "We've taken a precautionary approach to fight through this dead arm."

Management decided Monday to put the brakes on Olsen's sluggish return from a hamstring injury that affected his arm strength. Although healthy, Olsen likely will begin the season on the disabled list in extended spring training.

Olsen, 27, strained his left hamstring Feb. 17 while warming up before workouts. He pitched March 14 and 17, allowed seven baserunners in 21/3 innings and posting a 15.43 ERA.

"The ball is just not coming out of his hand the way it was before the hamstring injury," general manager Neal Huntington said. "So we're going to take a deep breath and slow things down with Scott."

Olsen signed a free-agent deal in December, aiming to win the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation. Even after his injury, Olsen insisted he preferred not to be considered for the bullpen.

Olsen met with Huntington yesterday morning to discuss his new recovery plan. Olsen said his future role, if any, on the Pirates' pitching staff was not discussed."