PITTSBURGH — At the end of spring traing, Brandon Cumpton was the odd man out.

Now he’s the welcomed man in when it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation.

Recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to start Thursday’s game against Cincinnati, the 25-year-old right-hander was impressive enough to earn another look.

“Yes, absolutely,” Pirate manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday of Cumpton getting another start. “He pitched with conviction today. All of his numbers were good.”

Cumpton pitched 20.1 innings of Grapefruit League action during spring training, posting a 2.21 earned run average. He was 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in five starts with the Bucs last season.

But with the Pirates’ starting rotation firmly in place as the team broke camp, Cumpton was handed a ticket back to Indianapolis. Now, with Wandy Rodriguez on the disabled list and Charlie Morton struggling with control, Cumpton’s services are welcome.

“I’m glad to hear I’m getting another start, but, honestly, I don’t worry about it,” Cumpton said. “I take things day by day. I’m looking forward to my bullpen session in a couple of days.

“I’ll focus on things I did wrong in this start and work hard on fixing them.”

Cumpton worked seven innings Thursday, throwing 68 of 98 pitches for strikes and allowing only four hits. He walked only one batter — but hit three.

Two of those hit batsmen scored in the sixth inning, the difference in a 2-1 Pirate loss.

“I hit a guy on an 0-2 pitch. I can’t be doing stuff like that,” Cumpton said. “It came back to haunt me.”

But Hurdle can live with it.

“He works the ball inside. That’s what Brandon has to do to be successful,” the manager said. “Sometimes it’s gonna go too far in and guys are going to get plunked.

“You can’t have it both ways.”

Cumpton was 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three Triple-A starts prior to his recall. He struck out 11 and walked only three in 19 innings.

Hurdle liked the way he was making quick work of the Reds’ lineup.

“First-pitch strikes to 20 of 28 hitters, retired 15 guys in three pitches or less, only had four three-ball counts ... That’s effective efficiency,” Hurdle said.

Cumpton said he takes the same mind-set to the mound with him every game.

“I’m trying to attack guys, get ahead, have them put the ball in play early,” he said. “Keep the pitch count down and go as deep as I can.

“All I want to do is stick to my strengths and compete. Get ahead of guys, get ground balls, rely on my defense. There’s not much of a trick to it.”

Nor is there much of a secret as to the job of a starting pitcher.

“Give us a chance to win,” Hurdle said. “He does that.”

Notes: Cumpton threw 20 consecutive scoreless innings in the big leagues before Ryan Ludwick’s two-run double in the sixth inning Thursday. ... Pirate reliever Mark Melancon has the longest current streak without allowing a home run — 74 innings — in the majors. ... Through Thursday, Andrew McCutchen led the National League with 20 walks and reached base safely in 13 of his previous 18 plate appearances. ... The Pirates are 4-4 in one-run games at PNC Park this season.