BRADENTON, Fla. — Jung Ho Kang, rehabbing from major knee surgery he underwent in September, will progress this week to changing directions while fielding, according to Pirates trainer Todd Tomczyk, but the Korean infielder still is not ready for full-go base-running.
"I've been fortunate to be around a lot of professional baseball players," Tomczyk said Wednesday. "By far, Jung Ho is probably the most diligent, hardest-working player we've had the pleasure of working through rehab with. ... He has not taken it a day too soon or a day too slow. He's very steadfast with his patience."
Kang has no limitations with hitting, and he did straight-line running last week. He is expected to start the season on the disabled list and could return as early as mid to late April.
"He continues working his butt off to do the things he needs to do to start playing this game again," Tomczyk said.
Other injury updates:
• Dr. Randall Beatty, a Pittsburgh-based ophthalmologist, confirmed prospect Austin Meadows sustained a fractured orbital bone while playing catch last week. Meadows, the ninth overall pick in 2013, will have surgery later this week or early next week, Tomczyk said, but it remains too early to say when he might return. A.J. Burnett fractured his orbital bone in 2012 and missed six weeks.
• Left-hander Cory Luebke (hamstring) should see his first Grapefruit League action later this week. He is a candidate for the final spot in the Pirates bullpen.
• Left-hander Robert Zarate (elbow) has begun flat-ground throwing.
• Right-hander Nick Kingham, who had Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery in October, continues his mound progression. His is throwing twice per week, only fastballs.
• Outfielder Antoan Richardson (broken foot) will play in a minor-league game at Pirate City today, which will be his first game action this spring.
Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and on Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.
First Published: March 16, 2016, 3:36 p.m.
