Injuries & Moves: Reynolds scratched with back spasms
LATEST NEWS
July 24: OF Bryan Reynolds scratched with back spasms
Reynolds will most likely miss his first game of the season Wednesday, being a late scratch from the team's lineup against the Cardinals with back spasms. He is currently considered day to day, and the Pirates are going to have to hold their breath that it's not more serious, because they very much need their All-Star's 18 home runs and .838 OPS.
July 20: LHP Anthony Solometo (Pirates' No. 3 prospect, No. 77 overall) makes start
On Saturday, Pittsburgh's 2021 second-rounder made his first start since he was placed on the Development List on June 18 after struggling to a 6.27 ERA in 13 games for Double-A Altoona. Solometo fanned three batters across three scoreless innings at the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, allowing three baserunners on two hits and one walk.
7-DAY/10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Hunter Stratton (right triceps strain)
Expected return: Soon
Stratton has made three appearances as part of his rehab assignment between the Pirates' Florida Complex League team and Single-A Bradenton with no issues. Stratton's rehab assignment started July 15, as he continues to build back up after suffering a right triceps strain in June. (Last updated: July 23)
LHP Bailey Falter (left triceps tendinitis)
Expected return: Soon
Falter will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on July 24. The team will reassess afterwards to see if a second rehab start is necessary. Falter's last MLB start was on July 6, so he has satisfied the minimum amount of down time to be activated from the injured list. (Last updated: July 23)
RHP Jared Jones (Grade 2 right lat strain)
Expected return: Second half
Jones threw on flat ground from the bullpen at PNC Park on July 23 and is playing catch out to 100-105 feet. The next step is to start throwing off of a "short box" slope, as director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk put it. Jones will throw a bullpen this weekend. (Last updated: July 23)
RHP Braxton Ashcraft (forearm tightness; No. 4 on Pirates Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
Ashcraft was placed on the injured list on July 12 with recurrent symptoms of lateral forearm tightness. The team got a second opinion from the surgeon of record, Dr. Keith Meister, who did Ashcraft's Tommy John procedure in 2021 and confirmed it was muscle-related on the outside forearm. He is not pitching in games currently, but he is playing catch on flat ground with the hope that he could return to the mound in seven to 10 days. (Last updated: July 23)
RHP Daulton Jefferies (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Jefferies was placed on the injured list July 6 after throwing two innings of scoreless relief to close out the Pirates' win against the Mets on July 5. There's no timetable for a return yet for Jefferies, who has pitched four games with Pittsburgh after being acquired from the Giants in May. (Last updated: July 6)
60-DAY IL
LHP Ryan Borucki (left triceps inflammation)
Expected return: 2024
Borucki is still on his Minor League rehab assignment that started on June 25. Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk acknowledged that nerve injuries can flare up and there can be good days and bad, which is why his recovery has not been linear. Borucki will pitch on July 23, and then the Pirates will regroup about what the next steps are. (Last updated: July 23)
C Endy Rodríguez (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The switch-hitting Rodríguez is hitting off of a tee right-handed, and it's been discussed whether he could potentially bat as a designated hitter in Minor League games this year. Nothing has been decided, but since there haven't been any hiccups with his rehab, it is on the table. (Last updated: July 23)
RHP Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Oviedo started a throwing program at the Pirates' Florida complex the week of May 20 after crossing the six-month mark from his surgery. As of early July, he is throwing out to 90 feet. (Last updated: July 2)
RHP Dauri Moreta (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Moreta underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in March, confirming fears that he will not pitch in 2024. The team anticipates a full recovery in approximately 14-16 months, with the hope that it might be on the shorter side since he is a reliever. Moreta is in Bradenton, Fla., going through the strengthening and condition phase of the rehab process, and won’t begin playing catch until at least September. (Last updated: July 2)