Lambo's plantar fasciitis still lingering
PITTSBURGH -- Pirates first baseman/outfielder Andrew Lambo has been away from the team for more than a month, due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. It doesn't appear he's close to rejoining the Bucs anytime soon.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players
Lambo was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 6. His rehabilitation took him to the club's Minor League facility in Bradenton, Fla., where he is able to take part in "pretty limited activity," general manager Neal Huntington said on Sunday.
"He still feels it in daily life. He still feels it as we try to push through," Huntington said. "We're trying to keep the baseball activities going as best we can."
Lambo, the Pirates' No. 19 prospect, made three starts and saw most of his plate appearances as a pinch-hitter. He was the Pirates' only left-handed bat off the bench to begin the season. They've gone without one since adding Jose Tabata to the outfield mix on May 19.
The Pirates do not have an estimated time frame for Lambo's return, as they attempt to get him healthy and back on the field.
"The plantar fasciitis injury is a really hard one. Some guys respond quickly and are able to come back. Andrew's had lingering pain," Huntington said. "He's had lingering discomfort. We've continued to work with him on that. The worst thing you can do is try to push through it, because it's just going to linger all year.
"He's frustrated. He's disappointed. He wants nothing more than to be back here and helping this club. But his foot's just not allowing it, right now."
Around the horn
• Right-hander Jameson Taillon, the Bucs' No. 2 prospect, threw four innings and 61 pitches in an extended spring training start on Saturday. Huntington said Taillon, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, is getting closer to pitching for one of the Pirates' Minor League affiliates.
"He feels great. He'd love nothing more than for us to ramp it up. But he understands this is a long-term process and a long-term vision with him," Huntington said. "He's getting closer to being able to pitch under the lights."
• Right-hander Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh's top prospect, is working his way back from a right ankle sprain and throwing bullpens to rebuild his arm strength.
The Pirates placed Glasnow on the Minor League disabled list following a rough start for Double-A Altoona after he sustained the injury. At that point, they shut him down completely, keeping him from throwing until he was fully healthy.
"Each step is building very positively. He's been great through it," Huntington said. "We just decided let's take it very slow. Let's take a deep breath and back off."