MLB: Pirates eyeing P Kevin Slowey as a long-term fit?

The Pirates are among the teams showing continued interest in Slowey as he nears the conclusion of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Rochester, major-league sources told FOXSports.com. Slowey has no record and a 2.45 ERA in two starts for Rochester, with his third outing set for Friday night in Buffalo.

Slowey, 27, is currently on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, but a source told Fox Sports he is healthy now. He also missed a month earlier this season because of bursitis in his throwing shoulder.

Slowey is earning $2.7 million this season but hasn’t found a role on the Twins’ big-league roster. He has a smaller build than most right-handed pitchers, and it doesn’t appear that he’s well-suited for relief pitching, which involves throwing back-to-back days.

The right hander is 39-21 with a 4.43 ERA in 92 career big-league games.

Slowey went a combined 23-9 from 2009 to 2010.

For the short-term, the Pirates are looking to have more viable options for the rotation but Slowey is said to be targeted as a long-term fit.

He is making $2.7 million this season and is not a free agent until 2014.