The Pittsburgh Pirates have only three healthy starters remaining from the five who normally make up the rotation, but Clint Hurdle figures the best way to solve the problem for now is to turn to the bullpen.

After the 5-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, Hurdle said he will again call on Montana DuRapau as his opener for Wednesday’s game at PNC Park.

He didn’t say how far DuRapau might go, but the team’s 2014 32nd-round draft choice pitched two scoreless innings Saturday in San Diego and five relief pitchers backed him up in a 7-2 Pirates victory.

Those two innings were the first DuRapau, 27, has worked in the majors after more than five seasons in the minors and a stint at Bethune-Cookman College.

The Pirates had hoped Steven Brault and Nick Kingham — pitchers with starting experience — could fill the holes in their starting rotation. But they combined to allow 17 runs (five home runs) in 15 2/3 total innings over four starts.

Brault, however, was the winning pitcher Saturday when he replaced DuRapau in the third inning.

After using only two relief pitchers Tuesday, Hurdle likely will have at least six relievers available to finish the game Wednesday, including Brault, Kingham, Kyle Crick, Geoff Hartlieb, Francisco Liriano and Felipe Vazquez.

Chris Stratton threw 44 pitches in three innings Tuesday, but Michael Feliz may be able to come back Wednesday after working only one on 10.

“Somebody could pitch (Tuesday) and pitch (Wednesday). We’ve done it multiple times this year,” Hurdle said before the game.

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