PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Working back from Tommy John surgery, then a lat injury, Johan Oviedo said on 93.7 The Fan that he feels great and hopes to return to the majors this year.
Oviedo joined the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show on Saturday after giving up a run and striking out three in 3.1 innings on Friday with the Altoona Curve. It was his longest start since his rehab began and at the highest level he’s pitched at this year in AA.
“My body is almost 100%, the only thing that is stopping me is the buildup as a starter,” Oviedo said on 93.7 The Fan. “Overall, the body feels amazing. We are working on building confidence in all the pitches. I feel really good.”
It was Oviedo’s fourth rehab appearance since he injured his lat throwing too hard this spring as he was preparing to return from Tommy John surgery in 2023. The 6’6”, 275-pound right-hander was eighth in MLB in batting against in 2023 (.237). He had offseason elbow surgery that year and missed the entire 2024 season.
After the injury during spring training, Oviedo started pitching on the mound again a couple of months later. He returned to the mound in a game June 30th in rookie ball pitching two-thirds of an inning. He would then make two starts in Class A Bradenton in July going 0.2 innings and 2.2 innings and then Friday in AA Altoona. Oviedo said the goal is to pitch four innings, or maybe a little longer next time out. When he reaches five innings, he believes he could be ready to rejoin the Pirates.
“Believe me I’m doing everything I can to be back as soon as I can,” Oviedo said Saturday. “It hurts me every day not being available to help the team. To contribute any type of way. The goal is to be back soon enough. I don’t know if it’s two weeks, three weeks or a month, hopefully it’s way less than that. Right now, I feel great.”
Oviedo said being away from baseball, he hasn’t pitched in the majors since September 27, 2023, is something that is indescribable. He missed the boys (his teammates), the fans, the field, the competition, all of it. The right-hander said he’s not looking back at that disappointment, rather that he’s heading in the right direction.
The 27-year-old added on the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show the fastball command has been the toughest thing to get back. He was worried at first throwing the fastball because it was throwing too hard that led to the lat injury and while he threw it in the high 90’s during his last bullpen, he said it’s not about velocity, rather the confidence to put it where he wants.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned this whole time is about being patient,” Oviedo said of improvements from his time away. “That has always been my problem. Always trying to let my emotions on the field sometimes kind of drive me. Learning how to be patient will make me a better pitcher.”
It’s about staying under control, especially when he finally returns to PNC Park. He knows there will be a lot of emotions because of waiting, the clock now at 22 months. What he does understand is making every minute count. The native of Cuba has a tremendous perspective on it.
“I encourage every guy, every person, don’t wait until it’s over to realize what you are doing,” Oviedo said. “It doesn’t matter what type of job or what you do. When you reach the goal in what you want to do in life, we have to make every second count. You never know how much you are going to miss it or when is going to be the last time you are out there. You don’t want to wish you did things different.”