Injuries & Moves: Hayes (back) nearing return
LATEST NEWS
May 16: Pirates trade RHP Roansy Contreras to Angels for cash considerations
Contreras was considered one of the Pirates' more promising pitchers as recently as last year, but a dip in fastball velocity and control eventually led to him losing his rotation spot, and eventually, a spot on the team. He entered Spring Training with a chance to earn a starting job, but ended up in the bullpen where he pitched to a 4.41 ERA over 16 1/3 innings.
He was designated for assignment Saturday to make room on the roster for Paul Skenes.
May 15: RHP Quinn Priester optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis; RHP Carmen Mlodzinski promoted from Indianapolis
Priester started and pitched six innings in Tuesday night’s 4-3 loss to the Brewers. Priester was undone by a rough second inning in which he was tagged for six hits and four runs as the Brewers sent nine batters to the plate. The 25-year-old Mlodzinski began the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. He made his Major League debut with the Pirates on June 16, 2023, and earned the first win of his career later that month against the Brewers at PNC Park.
May 14: LHP Aroldis Chapman (cracked nail on throwing hand) progressing
Chapman left in the 10th inning of Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the Cubs due to a cracked nail after falling behind 3-0 to Nick Madrigal with two outs and runners on first and second. Manager Derek Shelton wouldn’t comment on Chapman’s availability but said he’s making good progress. “He’s doing better. He played catch today. It looks a lot better than we thought it was going to be, so trending in the right direction,” Shelton said.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (low back inflammation)
Expected return: Soon
Hayes has resumed all exercises and is expected to resume fielding and activities starting on May 20 before swinging the bat the following day. He was placed on the injured list on May 11, so this trip to the IL could potentially be on the shorter side. (Last updated: May 17)
LHP Marco Gonzales (left forearm strain)
Expected return: 2024
Gonzales is stacking consecutive symptom-free days, director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said. The team will assess on when he can resume throwing later in May. (Last updated: May 17)
LHP Ryan Borucki (left triceps inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Borucki is currently asymptomatic and making strides for a potential return. The team will assess on when he can resume throwing later in May. (Last updated: May 17)
60-DAY IL
C Endy Rodríguez (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Rodríguez will transfer his rehab to the Pirates' Florida complex. The team envisions getting clearance for him to start a throwing program later in May. However, it's still not expected that Rodríguez will be able to play competitive games this season. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Oviedo has been cleared to start throwing again and has begun a plyometric program. He will begin a formal throwing program the week of May 20 at the Pirates' Florida complex. (Last updated: May 17)
C Jason Delay (right knee soreness)
Expected return: June
Delay is going to have his rehab transferred to the Pirates' Florida complex. The team is preparing for him to get into game activity during the week of May 20, and director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk says he is making good strides towards returning. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP Dauri Moreta (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Moreta underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in March, confirming fears that he will not pitch in 2024. The team anticipates a full recovery in approximately 14-16 months, with the hope that it might be on the shorter side since he is a reliever. Moreta was expected to return to Florida to start the rehab process. (Last updated: March 21)