Top prospects Swaggerty, Gonzales on shelf
On the whole, the Pirates appear to be getting healthier right now.
That’s regarding the MLB team, where some brutal injury issues have put a dent in their rotation and their lineup at the same time. That is no doubt a positive for a team that has lost 18 out of its past 24 games and could use a boost.
At the same time, much of the outside focus on the Pirates has been paid to the minor leagues. For the most part, that’s where hope for a more successful future is housed. In that sense, the Pirates have been dealt some tough news.
Their No. 8 prospect on MLB Pipeline, outfielder Travis Swaggerty is considering surgery after dislocating his right shoulder. He was pulled from a game for Class AAA Indianapolis with an apparent shoulder injury last Tuesday, and the last update on him came a day later, when Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Swaggerty would be coming to Pittsburgh to have his shoulder analyzed.
Tomczyk says both surgical and non-surgical options are on the table for the 23-year-old.
It’s a tough blow for the Pirates if for no other reason than that Swaggerty was the top-10 prospect who appeared closest to reaching to the majors. The Pirates started him in Indianapolis this season after he played in High-A in 2019.
That isn’t to say Swaggerty was on the verge of a call-up, but he had made a good impression in his 11 games so far this season. He led off Indianapolis’ season with a solo home run in the first at-bat of their opening day, then did the same for their home opener.
In total he hit three homers with seven RBIs while slashing .220/. 333/. 439. Those aren’t otherworldly numbers, but they’re encouraging.
Tomczyk did not give a solid timeline for Swaggerty’s return. Presumably it will depend on whether Swaggerty decides to undergo surgery or not.
Injury updates
• Other tough news in the minors came for infielder Nick Gonzales, the Pirates’ No. 2-ranked prospect and 2020 first-round selection. He was pulled from a game with High-A Greensboro last Wednesday, and on Friday, the Pirates announced he’d be out four to six weeks with a fractured plate in his right pinky finger.
• In better news, righthander Chad Kuhl got through 3⅓ innings in a rehab start for Indianapolis on Tuesday, allowing one hit, one run and two walks while striking out four. He threw 51 pitches, and Tomczyk said there were no symptoms of the right shoulder strain that has kept him out since April.
• Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes has “had no issues” after three games with Indianapolis on a rehab assignment of his own. He is not eligible to return until June 3 at the earliest.
• Infielders Colin Moran (groin) and Phillip Evans (hamstring) have been doing “position-specific work” now and are expected to begin running bases over the weekend, Tomczyk said.
• Outfielder Ka’ai Tom (wrist) has returned to full hitting activities.
• Right-hander Trevor Cahill ( left calf strain) threw a side session Wednesday and remains on track to return quickly.
Ponce back to Indy
Right- hander Cody Ponce was fairly impressive in his spot start for the Pirates on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, allowing four runs in five innings, with most of that damage coming in the fifth. The Pirates opted not to keep him around any longer, though, announcing Wednesday that he was optioned back to Indianapolis.
In the corresponding move, they recalled righthander Nick Mears, who will join the Pirates in the bullpen. Mears has allowed six runs in 3⅔ innings with Indianapolis this season.