Lefthander Steven Brault, who (barring injury) may have been the Pirates Opening Day starter, is finally getting closer to making his first 2021 start.
Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk says that Brault, who has been resting and rehabbing a strained lat muscle for three-and-a-half months, threw a 2-inning simulated game Wednesday then will fly to Pittsburgh to join the team for Reopening Weekend.
Of course, even though Tomczyk says Brault’s progress is “very encouraging" there is still no timetable for his return. “Those are discussions that are ongoing,” Tomczyk explains. “We’ll sit down with Steven and map out what’s best for him and the organization.”
Colin Moran, who took a pitch off his left wrist Monday in Colorado, is not in Wednesday’s line-up but Tomczyk says he could be available soon.
Otherwise, a quick thumbnail on other walking wounded, all right-handed pitchers:
Trevor Cahill (left calf) – has made some progress and is doing some ground base running activities
Luis Oviedo (left quad) – threw a rain-shortened 1-inning sim game Tuesday in Colorado; he responded well, will be examined in Pittsburgh
Blake Cederlind (Tommy John surgery) – about a month post-op, out of the post-surgical splint working a range of motion
Jose Soriano (Tommy John revision surgery) – 2-week follow-up with Dr.
Neil El Attrache went well; will transition his rehab to Bradenton; projected recovery is 16 months
Miguel Yajure (elbow/forearm) – expanded to long toss, rehabbing in Bradenton