CINCINNATI — Charlie Morton had surgery Friday to repair the labrum in his right hip, the third significant surgical procedure Morton has had in the past four years.
Dr. Thomas Byrd, who repaired a torn labrum in Morton’s left hip in October 2011, also performed this procedure. The Pirates released a tentative recovery time of six to eight months, which suggests it is unlikely Morton will be ready when pitchers and catchers report for spring training and that he could miss a portion of the 2015 regular season.
Morton, 30, had identified his injury as a sports hernia that had affected him since June 2. He pitched through pain that was constant, but did not worsen, until mid-August, when the Pirates put him on the disabled list after two poor starts to make room for Gerrit Cole’s return.
Morton continued to throw bullpen sessions and simulated games to keep his arm in game shape. He returned a month later and made one start, pitching five scoreless innings, but he said he felt the condition worsen significantly while facing his final batter. The Pirates placed him on the 60-day DL Wednesday.
In 26 starts this season, Morton pitched 1571⁄3 innings with a 3.72 ERA.
Morton had the labrum in his left hip repaired Oct. 10, 2011. He missed the first two weeks of the 2012 season, but made only nine starts after returning before Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery ended his season.
In December, the Pirates and Morton agreed to a three-year, $21 million extension with a $9.5 million club option for 2017.
The uncertainty regarding whether or not Morton will return for the start of next season adds to the questions regarding the 2015 rotation. Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez will be free agents after this season, leaving Cole, Vance Worley and Jeff Locke in addition to Morton as starting pitchers under contract. Jameson Taillon is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Brandon Cumpton and Nick Kingham are possibilities.
Alvarez to see specialist
Infielder Pedro Alvarez is scheduled to see a specialist Tuesday to determine whether or not he can return to baseball activities, manager Clint Hurdle said. Alvarez has not played since Sept. 5 because of a stress reaction in his left foot. He currently is not running, hitting or fielding, Hurdle said.
Davis is ailing
First baseman Ike Davis did not start Friday because of an illness. Hurdle said Davis had flu-like symptoms when he arrived at the ballpark Friday “that were more than just flu-like symptoms.”
Giant role for Bumgarner
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that he would skip Madison Bumgarner in the rotation this weekend so Bumgarner could start the wild-card game Wednesday. While Hurdle said the Pirates are discussing their pitching options given several scenarios, Friday afternoon was too early to make a decision.
“To skip somebody, that’s great conversation, but really it’s not doing anything for me right now,” Hurdle said. “We’re going to try to be more practical with what we have to do from that standpoint.”
First Published: September 26, 2014, 9:40 p.m.
