PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates 2020 Pitcher of the Year is rejoining the team when it returns home July 1. Steven Brault has been rehabbing a left lat strain since midway through Spring Training games.
Brault won’t be pitching though.
”It’s just a move to be around the team,” said Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk on Wednesday. “Haven’t seen him since Spring Training, want live and in person interaction and find out where he is at after the home stand.”
Then likely a rehab assignment and potential return at some point in July for the lefty. The affable Brault has been limited to zoom and phone interactions with his teammates. Can imagine, more than likely any other player, he needs to be around the guys for mental recovery.
“I think it will be very important for Steven to be around his teammates, the city, the fans,” Tomczyk said. “Not only to get a grasp on his progression, but also to be re-engaged with the fan base and the city as he makes the stride back to full pitching game activities.”
Trevor Cahill
The right-hander in his first year with the Pirates made his first eight starts, leaving May 19 with a left calf strain. Cahill returned on June 11, but lasted only 1.1 innings before leaving, aggravating the same injury.
Tomczyk says the 33-year-old is not progressing as quickly as anticipated and is not yet throwing. Cahill limited to cardio activities and has plateaued in his work.
Cahill is 1-5 with a 6.57 ERA this season.
Sam Howard
Lefty reliever Sam Howard landed on the IL on June 16 after giving up 6 runs in two-thirds of an inning with chronic, right knee tendonitis.
“We do not envision this being long term,” Tomczyk said. “He has responded favorably to the initial treatments. We anticipate him throwing off the slope in the coming days.”
Before that appearance, the 28-year-old Howard had a 2.45 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and .129 opponents’ batting average.
Other notes
-Rule 5 pick RHP Luis Oviedo is back on the mound, likely to go through a live batting practice and simulated game in St. Louis recovering from his left quad injury.
-Pirates spot starter and AAA righty Miguel Yajure has resumed throwing in Bradenton. A potential part of a future rotation, the Pirates say they will not rush the 22-year-old back dealing with right elbow soreness.
-Cole Tucker dealt with a virus, which the Pirates say is not COVID-19. They expect the first round pick to be back in games in AAA later this week.
-Ji-hwan Bae continues to rehab his knee injury. The AA infielder is still limited with agility, but making progress.
-RHP Brennan Malone, a key return from Arizona in the Starling Marte trade, has a mild injury to his right shoulder, lat soreness. The 20-year-old won’t throw for a short period of time. Trying to keep it from being a chronic issue.
-2020 first round pick Nick Gonzales transitioned to the Florida group to get at bats and has been hitting against live pitching in Bradenton without issues. Pirates envision him getting back to Greensboro in the next 7 days after a right shoulder injury.