PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Bucs new infielder could be with the team Sunday. The latest on Jared Jones, Nick Gonzales , good news for a future catcher and more in the Pirates medical report.
Newest Pirate
Infielder, and occasionally outfielder, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is expected to play seven innings and bounce between shortstop and second base in AA Altoona Friday night. Acquired from the Blue Jays, Kiner-Falefa is getting some work.
“We felt it was important that he missed three days due to the transition, because he was scheduled to continue to play during the trade deadline,” said Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk . “When he got acquired, he hasn’t been on the dirt for three days. Get him on the dirt in the middle infield and see how his body responds. We anticipate him being fine. And then we’ll have conversations after that.”
Those conversations could mean he could be in Pittsburgh by Sunday.
Jared Jones
The Pirates right-hander, who is out nearly a month due to a lat injury, will throw a live batting practice on Saturday after throwing 38-40 pitches a few days ago. They will reassess after to see whether he will then through another live BP, a bullpen session or ‘other things’.
When might Jones return to pitch in a MLB game?
“It’s a great question and I wish I could have a more definitive answer for you,” Tomczyk said. “But the group really wanted to see how the live BP. He’s definitely going to need some type of rehab innings. I don’t know what or how many. But they really wanted to focus on getting him through his live BP (Saturday) and then we’ll regroup as a team.”
Nick Gonzales
The Pirates leader in game-winning RBI is about a week out from returning. Gonzales (groin) is expected to be good for most baseball activities during this homestand, although he’s not running the bases yet.
Joshua Palacios with a hamstring injury is roughly in the same boat as Gonzales. He should do ‘a bunch’ of baseball activities including baserunning during the homestand.
Other players
· Lefty reliever Ryan Borucki had a little bit of a setback in game progression, feeling some symptoms in forearm/elbow. Is currently not throwing but received an injection for inflammation to try and settle his left triceps injury. They are optimistic he will get back in MLB games sometime in September.
· RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (right shoulder strain) is around the team and being reassessed on Friday.
· RHP Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery)-throwing from 105 feet with no issues.
· RHP Daulton Jefferies (inflamed elbow)-moved to 60-day injured list and could return as early as September 4.
· C Endy Rodriguez (right elbow surgery)-returned to the Pirates clubhouse. He is pain free with no restrictions and hitting from both sides of the plate. He is doing some position-specific work, not only at catcher, but first base. Rodriguez still does not have full velocity on the right side. They will talk next week about next step, but the potential is he could play in minor league games before this year ends, almost certainly as a DH.
Manager Derek Shelton noticed an increase in muscle mass
“This is a young man that’s just continued to grow,” Tomczyk said. “He took it as an opportunity to get his whole body stronger and he met the task. He really did. He was committed, diligent, prepared – it’s showing. His lower half has really, really developed and all of the numbers that we measure sometimes to measure output and force, he’s up there as the strongest in the organization. First and foremost, that’s a testament to Endy.”
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