Vogelbach injury removes top bat
For an offense that has struggled as mightily as the Pirates’ has, any further attrition is unwelcome.
That’s especially true for a player like designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach. His placement on the injured list prior to Tuesday’s game might have been a slight afterthought, since it cleared the way for outfielder Cal Mitchell, the Pirates’ No. 25 prospect on MLB Pipeline, to make his MLB debut. But Vogelbach has unequivocally been one of the Pirates’ best hitters this season, with a 123 OPS+. At the time of his move to the injured list, he led the team in homers and total bases.
But in his most recent games, Vogelbach was playing through a right hamstring issue. He took a few days off before returning to the lineup Monday, but when discomfort persisted, the Pirates decided it was best to put him on the 10-day injured list to heal up completely.
On the bright side, director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Vogelbach’s injury doesn’t seem too serious at this point, though a return timeline is still up in the air.
“Didn’t want to make a little thing turn into a big thing,” Tomczyk said. “It’s taking the opportunity to make sure this hamstring heals and gets in a good spot. The goal is to get him back as soon as we can.”
Right-hander Max Kranick likely was another candidate for a call-up, but his
health issue has worsened. Kranick felt some soreness in his right forearm and elbow, an alarming issue for any pitcher. Tomczyk didn’t indicate how serious the issue is, instead saying the Pirates are exploring “next steps.”
“We’re consulting with some physicians of preference in collaboration with our team physicians,” he said. “Nothing definitive to announce right now, other than he is on the IL and not pitching.”
The news is better for other pitching prospects:
• Right-hander Quinn Priester, the team’s fourthranked prospect, was expected to throw a live batting practice session Wednesday and could return to affiliated ball soon.
• Right-hander Miguel Yajure, who experienced lower back/hip soreness after his most recent outing, also is expected to get back into games in the near future.
• Brennan Malone, who overcame an early-season illness, felt some shoulder soreness and is now nearing a return from that, with the hope being that he’ll return to affiliated ball shortly.
Meanwhile, shortstop Kevin Newman strained his left hamstring while rehabbing at Class AAA Indianapolis from a groin injury, and now, there is no timetable for his return. Tomczyk said they are taking a different approach this time around, adding that it’s “back to the drawing board with Kevin.”
The Pirates could get some reinforcementsin the outfield in the near future, though.
Jake Marisnick, who has impressed with his defense, is “ahead of schedule,” according to Tomczyk. After having thumb surgery, Marisnick revisited his surgeon Monday and was given full clearance to ramp up activities.
And Greg Allen, who has yet to appear in a game this season due to a hamstring injury, is close to a return. He has been working out and running in the PNC Park outfield recently, and now it appears he’s going through final tune-ups before getting the OK for a rehab assignment. Still, it is unlikely he will be back by June 6, the first date he’s eligible to return from the 60-day injured list.
“Hopefully in a week to 10 days, he’ll be in some type of game,” Tomczyk said. “Not major league game activity. The intention would be to get him a rehab assignment.”
On the reliever front, Blake Cederlind was given the go-ahead to continue rehabbingafter receiving a PRP injection on his road back from Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Nick Mears was set to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday in LowA Bradenton. Right-hander Heath Hembree, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a calf injury, should begin throwing again on the upcoming road trip.