Key Pirates on mend from injuries
PITTSBURGH -- A few key Pirates on the injured list are nearly ready for competition.
Setup man Keone Kela, sidelined by right shoulder inflammation, threw 21 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park. He felt good afterward, director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said. The Pirates will evaluate Kela on Thursday, then determine his next step.
Kela has not pitched in a game since May 4. The right-hander could return directly to Pittsburgh’s bullpen or knock off the rust with a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. He threw all of his pitches on Wednesday, and manager Clint Hurdle was encouraged by what he saw.
“He threw his fastball and threw his curveball and looked aggressive when he was doing it,” Hurdle said. “He wasn’t just going through the motions. He was after it. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
One of the hitters Kela faced on Wednesday was left fielder Corey Dickerson, who has been on the injured list since April 4 due to a right posterior shoulder strain. Dickerson further tested his shoulder by throwing to bases during batting practice. Tomczyk said that Dickerson, who only played in four games before sustaining the injury, is “getting close” to a rehab assignment.
Third baseman Jung Ho Kang, on the IL since May 13 with a left side strain, is hitting in the batting cages with no restrictions, and throwing and fielding grounders. Tomczyk said Kang will hit on the field in the coming days, the final step before Kang can begin a rehab assignment. Presumably, the Pirates will give Kang -- who was hitting .133 with a .504 OPS in 31 games -- plenty of at-bats in the Minors to find his swing.
Trainer’s room
• Catcher Francisco Cervelli was out of the lineup on Wednesday after exiting Tuesday’s game after five innings due to an upper chest contusion. A few hours before first pitch, it was unclear if Cervelli would be available off the bench. Elias Diaz started behind the plate.
• Starter Trevor Williams (right side strain) is participating in rehab exercises but not yet throwing. The Pirates will reevaluate the right-hander this weekend, but Tomczyk said the club is “optimistic that this [time down] will not be as long as it potentially could be.”
• Right fielder Gregory Polanco returned to the lineup on Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday with a jammed and swollen left middle finger.
• Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who has not played for the Pirates this season, is away from Triple-A Indianapolis during his rehab assignment due to a personal matter. Tomczyk said that Chisenhall also indicated that he was still experiencing some tightness in his left calf.
• Shortstop Erik González (broken collarbone) will be reexamined on Thursday, exactly four weeks after he underwent surgery. The results of his exams will determine how aggressively Gonzalez can ramp up his on-field work.
• Reliever Nick Burdi (right biceps nerve damage) is feeling better, Tomczyk said, “but his symptoms haven’t completely resolved.” Tomczyk noted that is a normal, expected feeling, considering Burdi’s injury. The right-hander is rehabbing at the Pirates’ complex in Bradenton, Fla.
• Triple-A right-hander JT Brubaker (right forearm strain) has resumed a throwing program. Shortstop Oneil Cruz (left foot), the club's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is now taking part in full weight-bearing activities.
Managerial milestone
Hurdle managed his 2,500th Major League game on Wednesday, fittingly enough, against the Rockies. Hurdle entered the game with a 1,224-1,274-1 record in 17 seasons at the helm for Colorado (eight years) and Pittsburgh (nine years).
Hurdle’s next victory will tie him with Hall of Famer Harry Wright for 41st place on the all-time managerial wins list.
“I’m humbled, always, with the opportunity to manage at the Major League level. Always, every day,” Hurdle said. “I don’t take a day for granted. I don’t take a day off. That’s a lot of games. It’s been a lot of opportunity. Some people have believed in me and given me that opportunity. Hopefully I’ve given them reason to believe. … Fortunate.”