Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf has qualified for Super Two status, enabling him to be arbitration eligible a year earlier than first believed.
Ohlendorf who has just under three years of service, now becomes arbitration eligible for the next four seasons, instead of the normal three years most players are awarded.
His salary in 2010 was $439,000.
Ohlendorf in coming off a disappointing and injury plagued season. He went 1-11 last season with a 4.07 ERA after a strong 2009 campaign, winning 11 games for the Pirates.
The Pirates though remain high on Ohlendorf and believe he will bounce back.
Ohlendorf is now among eight players who are arbitration eligible. Of the eight, the Pirates intend to bring back Ohlendorf, shortstop Ronny Cedeno, closer Joel Hanrahan, right fielder Lastings Milledge, and Delwyn Young.
Infielder Andy LaRoche and pitcher Jeff Karstens could still be brought back depending on moves the Pirates make this off-season.
The Pirates will not tender pitcher Zach Duke who made $4.3 million in 2009.