Should all go according to plan, it’ll be a quick one and done for Martin Perez.
The Pirates left-hander, sidelined since May 26 with a left groin strain, will pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday as part of a rehab assignment. Perez said he hopes it is just one outing and that he’s able to join the Pirates on Monday in Cincinnati for their upcoming series against the Reds. Perez anticipates he will throw about 75 to 80 pitches.
Manager Derek Shelton is eager to get Perez, who is 1-3 with a 4.71 ERA this season, back into the Pirates rotation soon.
"He was a big acquisition for us this offseason,” Shelton said. “ ... Any time we get our veteran guys around younger guys, ... I think it's important."
Perez, who threw a 55-pitch live batting practice session on Wednesday, said he was able to keep his arm in shape because the injury was to his leg. The veteran left-hander said he has no pain and is ready to compete but not yet at the big-league level.
“I know I can’t pitch here. It’s better if I go out there and get built up a little more,” Perez said. “We’ve been playing good, so why rush?”
Shelton said Perez could make a second start for Indianapolis if needed. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk added the club is most concerned with Perez providing a clean bill of health after his Saturday start.
“If he feels that, knowing him, he'll probably have a really good outing and be able to say, 'Yes, I'm ready to go and get major-league hitters out,’ ” Tomczyk said. “So, from a health perspective, this is a very important step that he's facing hitters again, that he's facing competition.”
A couple other left-handers are inching closer to starting rehab assignments of their own. Ryan Borucki and Marco Gonzales, each of whom has been out since early April, threw live batting practices prior to Friday’s game.
“Both initially felt good, looked good. Ball is coming out good, and we'll determine the next steps,” Tomczyk said. “Will either be another live BP or consideration for rehab games.”
Gonzales, who has been sidelined due to a left forearm strain, will need at least one more live bullpen session, per Tomczyk, before embarking on a rehab assignment. Because Borucki is a reliever, he’s seemingly a bit further along when it comes to pitching for the Pirates again.
But it’s the looming return of Perez, who could start for the Pirates as soon as next weekend in Atlanta against the Braves, that would give the club a boost, especially as it turns to another bullpen game Friday night against the Rays.
Other injury updates
• Ji Hwan Bae (right wrist sprain) begins a rehab assignment for Indianapolis on Friday night.
• Joey Bart (left thumb) will serve as Indianapolis’ designated hitter on Friday. He’ll catch Perez on Saturday night.
• Henry Davis remains in the concussion protocol and is expected to stay in it through the weekend as the former No. 1 pick works through mild signs and symptoms. Tomcyzk said Davis is doing “most” baseball activities such as hitting, catching bullpens and running the bases. But he’s yet to resume high-level-exertion exercises.
• Endy Rodriguez (Tommy John surgery) has started to play catch right-handed. The switch-hitting catcher is now hitting from both sides of the plate, as well. Tomczyk said it is still an “ongoing discussion” amongst Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington as to whether Rodriguez will be able to play in competitive games as part of his rehab from offseason surgery on his right elbow.
• Quinn Priester (right lat muscle strain) threw a live batting practice session for Indianapolis on Friday. He is likely to remain with the Triple-A club and ultimately make a rehab start for Indianapolis at some point next week.
• Hunter Stratton (right triceps strain) has not resumed throwing yet. He is doing some advanced plyometric work, which is typically a precursor to playing catch. Tomczyk said the Pirates are hopeful Stratton can begin throwing early next week.
• Mike Burrows (Tommy John surgery) had his rehab assignment transferred from the Florida Complex League Pirates to Low-A Bradenton. The right-handed pitching prospect is expected to start for the Marauders early next week.
Andrew Destin: adestin@post-gazette.com and @AndrewDestin1 on X
First Published: June 21, 2024, 9:58 p.m.
Updated: June 22, 2024, 1:56 a.m.