PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Weekly injury updates for the Pirates including Colin Moran and the return to the mound for lefty Steven Brault.
Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk said Brault is making nice strides. He threw a 3-up simulated game Tuesday in Bradenton, Florida. Projected to start his rehab that day, but due to the storm Elsa, it's been pushed back to Sunday pitching for Low A Bradenton.
Brault will then move to AAA, Indianapolis to continue his progression. The 29-year-old lefty has yet to pitch in MLB in 2021 after a left lat strain during Spring Training.
RHP Trevor Cahill continues his slow progression from a strained left calf injury. The right-handed starter is on the 60-day injured list and resumed playing catch for the first time Tuesday. He will likely need a couple of weeks to build back up.
The 12-year MLB vet is 1-5 with a 6.57 ERA in his first season with the Pirates. He's started 8 games with 32 strikeouts and a 1.51 WHIP. Cahill's contract expires after this season.
Colin Moran (left wrist fracture) has not resumed hitting yet but has reported decreased soreness. Tomczyk said he's very positive and just has to let the bone heal.
INF/OF Phillip Evans (7-day concussion IL) is making steady progress.
Gregory Polanco basically has an injury to his core. He's had the ability to swing without issues, he feels the discomfort when he runs at maximum speed. Tomczyk is confident they could get him back shortly after the All-Star Break saying he started to feel issues while playing the series in Colorado.
INF Erik Gonzalez is making quicker progress back from an oblique injury. They will still be cautious as Gonzalez is running at about 60%. Still a 4-6 week timeframe before he returns.
OF Ka'ai Tom (lower back) has resumed baseball activities (throwing and hitting), optimistic he will be back shortly after the All-Star Break.
Owner of two starts with the Pirates, AAA right-handed starter Miguel Yajure is working his way back from right elbow discomfort.
"He's making some very nice strides in his progression," Tomczyk said. "He's resumed throwing off the mound. He's starting a side progression. All-in-all things are trending upward for Yajure."
The 23-year-old over in the Jameson Taillon trade is 0-1 with the Pirates with a 3.86 ERA. He's 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 3 starts with Indianapolis
Low A starting pitcher Brennan Malone (Starling Marte trade from Arizona) has resumed throwing on flat ground. Pirates say they will take it slow with his recovery to make sure the lat injury doesn't reoccur.
The 20-year-old, high-level prospect has pitched only 3.2 innings this season.
