Pirates Injury Updates: Gonzales, Borucki, Oviedo, Rodríguez, Cruz

Pittsburgh Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk spoke to members of the media prior to Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Tomczyk provided updates on several injured players in the organization.

Marco Gonzales and Ryan Borucki

Though Gonzales and Borucki are dealing with different injuries, both players are in similar situations.

Gonzales is on the injured list with a flexor injury and Borucki has median nerve inflammation. Both players received second opinions and neither one is currently throwing.

“The prognosis is he will pitch again for the Pittsburgh Pirates,” Tomczyk said on Borucki. “Just right now, he’s not throwing status, but he is improving daily.”

Gonzales previously underwent Tommy John surgery but his UCL is intact, per Tomczyk.

Johan Oviedo

Oviedo is approaching the six-month mark since undergoing Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Later this month, he will meet with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed the operation.

The six-month mark is considered a big milestone, according to Tomczyk.

“He’s coming across the six-month mark with his UCL rehab, and that’s really important because that’s when he may get final clearance to begin throwing, and that’s around May 15-ish or so. So, that’s coming up. He’s been working really hard I know. Ovi is really excited to go see Dr. Meister later this month to finally get that clearance.”

Endy Rodríguez

Rodríguez is hitting from the left side but still has yet to start throwing or bat right-handed. The progression will go in that order and he’s expected to start throwing in relatively short order.

“He continues to dominate his rehab. He’s hitting from the left-hand side. We anticipate him getting the clearance to throw later this month. So, late May, and that’ll be around the six-month mark with him as well.”

Oneil Cruz

Cruz has tweaked his surgically-repaired ankle three times this season — once in New York against the Mets, once at Oracle Park against the San Francisco and the latest against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night at PNC Park.

It’s not uncommon for a player to have these kinds of minor setbacks coming off of a traumatic injury.

“I don’t want to say that we anticipate that there will be hiccups throughout – ideally we hope there’s nothing he feels nothing and he continues to play at the level that he’s capable of and help us win baseball games. With any professional athletes coming back from pretty significant injuries, it’s more likely than not that things occur form time to time.”

Others of Note

• As noted earlier, Pirates’ prospect Owen Kellington underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, performed by Dr. Meister. He will be sidelined 14-16 months.
• Thomas Harrington made his first rehab start with the Bradenton Marauders on Tuesday night.