PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Wednesday night Chad Kuhl is beginning his rehab as the starter for AAA Indianapolis. Ke'Bryan Hayes will join him in the next day or two.
"He was excited to get out and start playing and get back to being our third baseman," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "I think his level of excitement is high."
Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes competed in a simulated game with the Major League team on Wednesday in St. Louis and had no issues taking swings, running the bases or fielding at third base.
"All very encouraging signs with Ke'Bryan that he's going to go out and play some baseball and get a game workload with the Indy club," Tomczyk said. "We will then make a decision after that."
Tomczyk said there are a lot of ligaments in-between the fingers that are often injured. That made the Hayes recovery tougher because of inflammation in different areas of the hand. They will continue to take it game-by-game and step-by-step.
"The most important part is we will see Ke'Bryan Hayes play again," Tomczyk said. "There need to be an adequate build-up of game activity to make sure that when he's ready. He's ready to impact this club."
Shelton said Hayes almost needs another Spring Training to build back up, adding there will be some nights where he will be the designated hitter.
The preseason favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year, Hayes has been out since the second game of the season. He isn't eligible to return until early June.
Swaggerty out
Indy centerfielder Travis Swaggerty injured his right shoulder on a pickoff play Tuesday night. They will fly the 2018 first round pick to Pittsburgh to examine him. Likely this will be longer than missing the seven day minimum for the minor league injured list.
Evans/Moran
INF/OF Phillip Evans (hamstring) is a little ahead of INF Colin Moran (groin) as Evans has started running. Evans has also taken some swings in a cage and both have taken ground balls. Their return is not imminent, but they continue to progress.
Other pitchers
Left-handed starter Steven Brault, out since Spring Training, started playing catch 60 to 70 feet. He will continue to build up with the group in Bradenton.
Kyle Crick threw a live batting practice Wednesday afternoon. All indications that he is responding well. The right-handed reliever will play catch on Thursday and they will discuss where to go from there.
