PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Acquired a few days ago, Joey Bart is going to be a part of the Pirates catching rotation for the foreseeable future. It’s not just because he’s had a pair of multi-RBI games in two opportunities as a Pirate.
Jason Delay, who hit .251 with 11 doubles, 18 RBI in 70 games last year as the back-up, has been shutdown from all baseball activities. The knee injury that Derek Shelton said they thought they had controlled during Spring Training, has not improved.
Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk said they haven’t determined if he will go on the 60-day injury list, but it’s a possibility. They are still in the process of learning what the next steps are in talking to local physicians and are already exploring second opinions.
“There are some things that most catchers have in there,” Tomczyk said Tuesday. “Unfortunately, what he has, he’s not able to play, he’s not able to function. Not to be too vague but until we get a final idea of what his plan is – and that should happen in the next five to seven days.”
While there is some encouragement that free agent signee, Yasmani Grandal could being catching soon. He’s only doing it in simulated games due to his plantar fasciitis. They plan to sit down with manager Derek Shelton to discuss his next step and Tomczyk said many people will be involved in the next move.
The starting catcher at the end of last year Endy Rodriguez is five months removed from elbow surgery, but he is doing ‘remarkably well’. Rodriguez should begin a formal hitting progression next month.
Other injury updates
· Lefty reliever Ryan Borucki (left elbow inflammation)-he is already feeling a lot better only going on the IL on Saturday. He will start playing catch soon and they could see him back on the mound very soon.
· Righty reliever Carmen Mlodzinski (right forearm)-continues to make nice strides during his rehab in AAA
· Righty reliever Colin Holderman (illness)-he was knocked on his butt by a severe flu and missed most of Spring Training. He is in Pittsburgh Tuesday for a reassessment, but seems like he is close
· Infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (left hip strain)-has been moved up to AAA to continue his rehab and is ‘making nice strides’