The Pittsburgh Pirates hope to have some clarity on the next steps of rookie pitcher Jared Jones’ rehabilitation by the end of the weekend.
Jones, who has been sidelined since July 4 with a right lat strain, is scheduled to throw a live batting practice Saturday.
“I wish I could have a more definitive answer for you,” Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Friday afternoon. “But the group really wanted to see how the live BP went to see what the next steps are, whether it’s another live BP, whether it’s a bullpen and rehab assignment. He’s definitely going to need some type of rehab innings. I don’t know what or how many.”
Jones, 22, saw his season interrupted after going 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA over 16 starts and 91 innings.
Additionally, the Pirates are hopeful that one of their key trade deadline acquisitions is close to debuting with the club.
Infielder/outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who arrived in a trade from the Blue Jays on Tuesday, was placed on the injured list by Toronto on July 2.
He begins a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Altoona and is scheduled to play seven innings, splitting time between second base and shortstop against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Per Tomczyk, Kiner-Falefa appears to be nearing the end of the road in his recovery from a left knee injury.
“We felt it was important that he missed three days due to the transition, because he was scheduled to continue to play during the trade deadline,” Tomczyk said. “When he got acquired, he hadn’t been on the dirt for three days. Get him on the dirt in the middle infield and see how his body responds. We anticipate him being fine. And then we’ll have conversations after that.”
Lefty reliever Ryan Borucki suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from inflammation in his throwing arm.
Borucki, who has made a total of 10 rehab appearances with Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, recently rejoined the Pirates in Houston but is not throwing after receiving an anti-inflammation injection.
In the next week or so, the Pirates will discuss what comes next for Borucki, who hasn’t pitched for the club since April 5.
“We won’t have to start from square one, but, again, we want to think short and long term for Ryan,” Tomczyk said. “… Ryan’s chomping at the bit to get back as quickly as possible, but we want it to be smart.”
Catcher Endy Rodriguez was present at PNC Park on Friday as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
Manager Derek Shelton and Tomczyk noted the change in Rodriguez’s physique upon arrival in Pittsburgh.
“This is a young man that’s just continued to grow,” Tomczyk said. “He took it as an opportunity to get his whole body stronger, and he met the task. He really did. He was committed, diligent, prepared. It’s showing. His lower half has really, really developed, and all of the numbers that we measure sometimes to measure output and force, he’s up there as the strongest in the organization. First and foremost, that’s a testament to Endy.”
Tomczyk described Rodriguez’s rehab as “linear,” without any hiccups to date.
The 24-year-old is doing field work at catcher and first base as well as hitting pain-free from the left side of the plate.
