The biggest item from yesterday’s weekly Pittsburgh Pirates injury report from sports medicine director Todd Tomczyk was that pitcher Steven Brault finally has a projected return date, or at least a return to Pittsburgh to be with the team.
Brault, who has been out since March with a strained latissimus dorsi, will throw some live batting practice in Bradenton this week and then come back to Pittsburgh when the Pirates return from their seven-game road trip on July 1st. From there, he’ll be evaluated to either stay with the Bucs or go to Indianapolis for a rehab assignment. Tomczyk says it’s important for the team to see Brault in person to get a feel for his readiness to return to the mound.
Pitcher Miguel Yajure has begun throwing again in Bradenton after experiencing a ‘sensation” in his pitching elbow at the beginning of the month. Pitcher Trevor Cahill is not throwing yet after reinjuring his calf muscle. Pitcher Luis Oviedo will throw live batting practice or a simulated game this weekend in St. Louis. Tomczyk said there is no timetable for a return by Sam Howard, the reliever who was put in the injured list this week with a knee issue. He’ll throw off a slope soon.
Three top ten prospects are on the Pirates’ injury list. Last year’s top draft pick, second baseman Nick Gonzalez, has recovered from his fractured finger and is taking live batting practice, with an expected return to game action in Low-A Greensboro next week. 2018 top pick Travis Swaggerty is rehabbing in Bradenton after having shoulder surgery. And right-handed pitcher Brennan Malone has been shut down from throwing after suffering a shoulder injury. Malone was the #33 overall pick in the 2019 draft by Arizona and came to the Pirates in the Starling Marte trade.
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