CINCINNATI -- There's no more need to speculate, as manager John Russell named right-hander John Van Benschoten the Pirates' starter for Wednesday's series finale against the Reds.

Though Van Benschoten had been the obvious fill-in choice, Russell had wanted to make sure that Van Benschoten would be available out of the 'pen in case he had been needed in a long relief situation either Sunday or Monday.

However, a six-inning start by Tom Gorzelanny on Sunday and seven innings from Paul Maholm on Monday erased that need.

With Wednesday's start, Van Benschoten will be the third different spot starter for the Pirates in a six-game period. Triple-A righties Jimmy Barthmaier and Ty Taubenheim each made starts during the team's recent three-game set against the Rays.

The need for a spot starter is an obvious indication that the starting rotation is not healthy. However, rather than lamenting the current absence of Phil Dumatrait and Ian Snell, both of whom are on the disabled list, Russell can see the silver lining in the fact that the injuries have given other starters a chance for a Major League audition of sorts.

"Obviously, if our guys were pitching every day, you'd never see [the starters from Triple-A], you'd just hear about them," Russell said. "Until you actually get to put your eyes on them and see how they handle themselves at this level, it gives you a better indication of if something happens again, who you'd like to see back up here."

Taubenheim didn't factor in the decision on Saturday, but he went a very respectable six innings, allowing just two runs. Barthmaier was less fortunate, picking up the loss one day earlier in a 2 1/3-inning outing. Barthmaier was charged with seven runs on seven hits and two walks.