Holderman expects to miss some time after a ‘rough’ bout with flu
BRADENTON, Fla. — Colin Holderman might be the only one down here who missed the grind of spring training. For the Pirates reliever, it was much worse.
Holderman was hit hard — really hard — by the illness that made its way around the Pirates clubhouse during the past few weeks. So much so that he went to an area hospital to receive additional fluids and lost roughly 15 pounds.
Although he’s back and on his fifth day throwing, including a bullpen on Saturday, Holderman told the Post-Gazette that he expects to open the season on the 15-day injured list due to all of the time missed.
“Had a rough go of it,” Holderman said. “Had a fever for about seven days. We’re trying to claw back. Gained about five pounds back already. Still have some work to do.
“I am feeling better now. My bullpen was almost the same as beforehand, so I’m not too worried about it. Just have to get the weight back.”
Plenty of Pirates players missed time with the flu, but Holderman’s case was the most severe.
He actually thought the virus — he said he was told he was Influenza A — had returned on St. Patrick’s Day and considered going back to the hospital. But he ditched the idea when there were no available beds.
“There were a lot of drunks,” Holderman said. “They took up the beds. We pushed through, and we’re OK now. I’m feeling so much better.”
Holderman’s greatest fear was that his wife (Casey) and infant daughter (Tanner) would be affected, but thankfully they remained healthy.
“Thank God that didn’t happen,” said Colin, who has been back and playing catch since last Wednesday.
Holderman starting on the IL and the uncertainty surrounding Carmen Mlodzinski have created some questions for general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton as they look to assemble a bullpen.
Assuming Bednar, who has only pitched once this spring to due right lat soreness, is good to go, the
Pirates have their closer, plus Aroldis Chapman and Ryan Borucki as locks. One would think they’d also keep Roansy Contreras, who’s out of options and recently transitioned into a relief role.
Josh Fleming ( lefty ground-ball specialist) and Brent Honeywell (righty who’s shown swing-andmiss stuff) have pitched really well this spring and deserve to go to Miami, while Mlodzinski (right forearm tightness) hasn’t pitched in a game since March 13.
That would be a quick turnaround to suddenly be ready for opening day, which could leave the Pirates with two additional spots to fill.
If we operate under the assumption that Jared Jones and Luis Ortiz won the final two starting rotation spots, that would force the Pirates into decisions on Bailey Falter (reliever?) and Quinn Priester (sixman rotation?). They could turn to a pair of non-roster pitchers in Hunter Stratton and Wily Peralta, who remain in camp.