Injuries & Moves: Priester optioned to Triple-A; Mlodzinski promoted
LATEST NEWS
May 15: RHP Quinn Priester optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis; RHP Carmen Mlodzinski promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis
Priester started and pitched six innings in Tuesday night’s 4-3 loss to the Brewers. Priester was undone by a rough second inning in which he was tagged for six hits and four runs as the Brewers sent nine batters to the plate. The 25-year-old Mlodzinski began the season on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. He made his Major League debut with the Pirates on June 16, 2023 and earned the first win of his career later that month against the Brewers at PNC Park.
May 14: RHP Ryder Ryan recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis; LHP Josh Fleming designated for assignment
The move comes after Fleming gave up five hits and five earned runs, including a grand slam, in one inning of relief in Monday night’s 8-6 win over the Brewers. “We needed a bullpen arm. We have other guys that are available and we need the innings. Josh became the odd man out,” manager Derek Shelton said on Tuesday. Fleming is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA with one save and one blown save in 17 appearances this season. On April 27, his ERA stood at 1.29, but in five appearances since then he’s surrendered 10 earned runs in five innings.
Ryan, 29, was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in nine games (12 innings) in a stint with the Pirates earlier this season.
“This guy throws a sinker that really does a nice job of getting ground balls when he executes it. That’ll be the big thing,” Shelton said.
May 14: LHP Aroldis Chapman (cracked nail on throwing hand) progressing
Chapman left in the 10th inning of Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the Cubs due to a cracked nail after falling behind 3-0 to Nick Madrigal with two outs and runners on first and second. Manager Derek Shelton wouldn’t comment on Chapman’s availability but said he’s making good progress. “He’s doing better. He played catch today. It looks a lot better than we thought it was going to be, so trending in the right direction,” Shelton said.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (low back inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Hayes had not played in a game since May 7, and the Pirates decided to place him on the injured list on May 11 due to low back inflammation. Hayes hit .240/.322/.318 with one home run to begin his 2024 season. His timeline for a return is unclear. (Last updated: May 11)
LHP Marco Gonzales (left forearm strain)
Expected return: 2024
General manager Ben Cherington said on his 93.7 The Fan radio show on May 5 that he is optimistic Gonzales will pitch again this season. The team had him and Ryan Borucki get second opinions in California during the week of April 29, and after ordering additional tests on Gonzales, it was determined that a "conservative treatment with both guys, at this point, is the right path." (Last updated: May 5)
LHP Ryan Borucki (left triceps inflammation)
Expected return: At least a month
The initial left triceps inflammation symptoms Borucki experienced have subsided, and after consulting Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles, the working diagnosis is now left median nerve neuritis/inflammation. He will not throw for several weeks, potentially up to a month, and then need to rehab after, but the team remains optimistic he will throw again this year. (Last updated: May 1)
RHP Thomas Harrington (rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: TBD
Harrington, the Pirates' No. 6 prospect, is still at the Pirates' Florida Complex, but is throwing up to three innings as he builds up for the season, a positive sign that he is trending towards his season debut. (Last update: May 1)
60-DAY IL
C Jason Delay (right knee soreness)
Expected return: June
Delay caught Bailey Falter's bullpen on May 8, the first time he has done that since having knee surgery last month. There were no issues, and he's playing catch up to 120 feet and taking swings off a tee. There are discussions of transitioning his rehab to the Pirates' Florida complex, which could happen soon. Delay was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 10. (Last updated: May 10)
RHP Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Johan Oviedo is coming close to the six-month mark with his UCL rehab, which is when he may get final clearance to begin throwing. That clearance could come next week and would be another step towards getting him ready for next season. (Last updated: May 8)
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 was expected to return to Florida to start the rehab process. (Last updated: March 21)
C Endy Rodríguez (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Rodríguez had his follow up with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Opening Day and is doing well. He's projected to begin a swing progression from the left side during the week of April 15, which should line him up for a formal hitting progression in early May (the former is a dry swing program, the latter would be hitting off a tee). (Last updated: April 9)