PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates activated left-handed pitcher Phil Dumatrait from the 60-day disabled list Friday and placed right-handed reliever Jeff Karstens on the bereavement list because of his grandmother's illness.

Dumatrait, 28, had reconstructive shoulder surgery more than a year ago and has been pitching over the past month on a rehabilitation assignment for four minor league teams in the Pittsburgh system.

Karstens left the team to be with family in San Diego. Pirates manager John Russell said he would miss the weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds and, with an off day, was expected to return Tuesday for the start of a series with Philadelphia, though Russell said Karstens would get as much time as he needed.

Dumatrait is 3-8 with a 7.08 ERA in 27 games (17 starts) over two seasons with the Pirates and Reds, but has not pitched in the majors since July 7, 2008. He is 0-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 26 innings over six games for the Pirates' Bradenton, State College, Altoona and Indianapolis affiliates.

Russell said Dumatrait would work as a long man out of the bullpen. He becomes the team's only lefty.

To make room for Dumatrait on the 40-man roster, Pittsburgh transferred right-hander Evan Meek from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list.