Defensive stalwarts get bleak injury news
Roberto Perez and Jake Marisnick have been two of the Pirates’ better defensive players this season, one guiding a young pitching staff, the other making spectacular diving catches in the outfield.
On Wednesday, Perez and Marisnick were sources of frustrating injury news for the team and its fans.
In a roster move that was mostly expected due to the severity of his left hamstring strain, the Pirates transferred Perez from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list. His vacated spot on the 40-man roster was taken by lefthanded pitcher Cam Alldred, who was also swapped out for right-hander Beau Sulser on the active roster.
The move means Perez won’t be able to come back until July — if then.
As for Marisnick, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Marisnick — hurt while making a diving catch Monday — would have surgery on his left thumb in the coming days.
After injuring the ulnar collateral ligament when his thumb essentially folded under the rest of his hand, Marisnick faces two options, Tomczyk explained: a repair or internal re-brace that would cause Marisnick to miss weeks, or a full reconstruction that would force the outfielder to sit for months.
Thankfully for the Pirates, the initial diagnosis points to more of the former.
Other updates
• Tomczyk said Kevin Newman (left groin strain) will run the bases this week and projects to start a rehab assignment of some type next week. The shortstop has been on the IL since April 27 and is eligible to come off at any point.
• Nick Mears ( arthroscopic surgery on right elbow) will begin throwing batting practice next week.
• Greg Allen (left hamstring strain) projects to return on or around the time he’s eligible to come off the 60-day IL — June 6.
• The medical staff at Class AAA Indianapolis on Tuesday submitted paperwork for Travis Swaggerty (concussion) to come off the seven-day injured list.
Proceed with caution
Blake Cederlind, who has been throwing live batting practice while working back from a full UCL reconstruction of his right elbow, reported “more than usual forearm soreness” after his last session, and the Pirates are pausing his throwing for four or five days, Tomczyk said.
They’re also consulting with Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache, who performed surgery on Cederlind.
Meanwhile, Quinn Priester ( oblique) has been throwing pain-free out to 125 feet and off a mound. His rehab has taken longer, Tomczyk explained, because the Pirates are trying to making some mechanical tweaks to his delivery to prevent further injury.
“The collaboration of the sports medicine team, the strength coaches and baseball department, they’re noticing some things that they started to work on in spring training from a delivery aspect that they’re working on more intently to not just prevent oblique injuries but prevent injuries in the future,” Tomczyk said.
Underwood ready
When Duane Underwood
Jr. had his 2021 season cut short due to right shoulder inflammation, it led to a period of self-discovery or examination that seemingly helped the right-handed reliever this spring.
With a fastball that previously averaged about 94 mph, Underwood saw that tick up a little bit in Florida, the result of cleaning up parts of his delivery, being more athletic and movi n g faster down the mound.
Now, after a handful of rehab appearances to return from a right hamstring strain he suffered on opening day, Underwood said he’s ready to rejoin the MLB team.
“The progression has been coming along great,” Underwood said. “Hammy feels amazing. Got the work in. Built up. Really whenever the big club needs me, I’m ready to go.”
Underwood Jr. threw 18 pitches ( 11 strikes) in a scoreless inning Tuesday for Class AA Altoona. In four rehab appearances with LowA Bradenton, Altoona and Indianapolis, Underwood is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 4⅔ innings, with four walks and three strikeouts.
“I’m moving cleaner. I’m moving faster. I’m recovering faster. Everything has just kind of picked up a tick,” Underwood said. “I think it was one of my better offseasons. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and spinning the rock.”
How Underwood fits into the Pirates’ plans is to-be-determined, but it will almost assuredly involve throwing multiple innings. Underwood has basically done everything but close. If the Pirates use him like Wil Crowe or Dillon Peters, he’d be fine with it.