Help!

Jim Tracy removes Shawn Chacon and wonders which relievers actually know that there is a game in progress - AP Photo/Kathy Willens

It is official: the Pirates' bullpen is completely in shambles. Salomon Torres has struggled this season, but his trip to the DL leaves only Matt Capps and Damaso Marte as reliable relievers. Capps (2.78 ERA) has been excellent and Marte (1.33) has been solid in his role of LOOGY. The rest of the pen is downright scary. Tony Armas (8.07), Jonah Bayliss (7.16), John Grabow (5.29), Masumi Kuwata (9.00), and Josh Sharpless (12.46) are the remaining relievers on the active roster. I just vomited a little into my lap. When Capps serves his suspension, only Marte (again, a left-handed specialist) will have an ERA under 5.00. Jim Tracy might be forced to allow his starters to throw 175 pitches per game. What other choice will he have? Just look at these numbers. The Pirates are in major trouble.