PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – This time last season, Jared Jones was the Pirates rookie phenom. A positive update to his condition, plus another potential starter is going to resume throwing soon.
Hoping to start his second season in the majors, Jones was examined recently and he presented a pain-free clinical exam.
“A very important landmark for him and his rehab progression,” said Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk on Wednesday.
Jones is dealing with an elbow injury reported late in Spring Training. He has started his ‘two-handed plyo ball program’. As he went through those exercises, he had no pain. Not only no pain but no symptoms.
The plan is for Jones to repeat the CT scan in another three weeks.
"If that shows the healing that we all envisioned, he will then begin a throwing program at that point as well,” Tomczyk said.
Coming back from missing last season due to Tommy John surgery, right-handed starter Johan Oviedo is coming back to Pittsburgh on Friday to be re-examined. He'll have a serial image, an exam and then the group will collaborate with Dr. Keith Meister.
"The goal, which I believe we will obtain and he'll get there, is to begin throwing on Saturday,” Tomczyk said. “So that's very encouraging news for Johan."
Right-handed reliever Colin Holderman has resumed throwing after experiencing knee pain following his outing on Sunday. He is playing catch out to 120 feet with zero to minimal symptoms. He'll continue to ramp up his activity to hopefully throwing off a mound this weekend.
Right-handed reliever Dauri Moreta is throwing batting practice at the Pirates Florida complex once a week. He will follow that up with a side-session in between and is progressing well. The goal is for Moretz to being throwing simulated games by the end of April or early May. He’s on track to potentially be considered for rehab assignments next month.