NEW YORK — Jameson Taillon will make another rehab start Wednesday with Class AAA Indianapolis as he continues to make his way back from a procedure to address testicular cancer, manager Clint Hurdle said.
Taillon allowed one unearned run in five innings Friday with Indianapolis in his second rehab start. He gave up three hits and struck out six without walking a batter.
“He filled the zone up with all pitches,” said Hurdle, who spoke with Indianapolis pitching coach Stan Kyles and pitching coordinator Scott Mitchell, as well as Taillon. “The pitch execution was solid. He controlled counts, he put hitters away. The curveball was a plus pitch. The changeup was much improved. No walks, six strikeouts. Two-seamer had late bite. I think they actually said it had teeth. Which is interesting.”
Taillon had surgery May 8 to remove suspected testicular cancer. Tests later confirmed the abnormality was in fact cancerous. He continues to undergo tests to determine whether or not the cancer has spread.
More confidence in Bell
Friday night, Josh Bell remained in a game the Pirates led rather than being double-switched out for a better defender. Hurdle said Bell will have more opportunities to do this, but still made clear the Pirates see Bell as the third-best defensive first baseman.
“There’s a lot of numbers you can grab,” Hurdle said. “I had somebody grab one and they said, well he’s a plus-three in Defensive Runs Saved. I said, that’s great. Have you watched every pitch? Have you watched every game he’s played? Well, no. I’ve watched every pitch. I’ve watched every game that he’s played. I see him as improving. I also know that we have two other guys that are better defensively across the board with experience than he is right now.”
Comps for Rivero?
Asked if he had encountered a reliever with Felipe Rivero’s combination of velocity and pitch mix in his career, Hurdle pointed to Craig House, who pitched 16 games for the Colorado Rockies in 2000. House threw gas and had a hop-step delivery similar to that of Carter Capps.
“Through the adjustment period of trying to get him on the rubber, everything went away,” Hurdle said.
Rivero threw 14 pitches Friday night. Nine of them were more than 100 mph, topping out at 101.6. In a major league-leading 29 appearances, he has allowed six runs in 28⅔ innings with 30 strikeouts. His ERA is 0.63.
“The power is unique,” Hurdle said. “The combination to be able to throw the other two pitches with the command that he has also makes him special. I really haven’t had anybody with the skill set before.”
Cervelli sits
Francisco Cervelli was again out of the lineup Saturday night because of what he referred to as a sinus issue.
“I’ve been feeling bad the last 10 days,” he said.
Cervelli began experiencing headaches and fatigue since last week’s road trip to Atlanta, but said he could play in an emergency. Elias Diaz started in his place.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: June 4, 2017, 4:44 a.m.
