LATEST NEWS

Sept. 26: INF Nick Gonzales recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis; INF Alika Williams optioned to Triple-A
Since being optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 3, Gonzales hit .314/.392/.585 with eight home runs and a 141 wRC+ with Indianapolis. In September, he had a 1.099 OPS. In 31 games with the Pirates earlier this season, Gonzales hit .216/.268/.353 with two home runs.

Sept 24: LHP Bailey Falter (neck soreness, fatigue) placed on 15-day IL; RHP Osvaldo Bido recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis
Falter’s IL designation ended his regular season with seven games remaining. The southpaw gave up eight runs in two innings in his final start of the season Saturday. Pittsburgh got a fresh arm to replace him for the stretch run in Bido, who has a 6.36 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings for the Pirates this season.

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INJURY UPDATES

10-day IL and 15-day IL

LHP Bailey Falter (neck soreness, fatigue)
Expected return: 2024
The Pirates shut down Falter for the rest of the season when they placed the lefty on the 15-day IL on Sept. 24. The 26-year-old gave up eight runs over two innings in his final start of the season, which raised his ERA to 5.36 in 80 2/3 innings on the season. Falter should be full-go for 2024. (Last updated: Sept. 24)

RHP Colin Holderman (right thumb sprain)
Expected return: 2024
The Pirates placed Holderman on the 15-day IL on Sept. 22, ending an excellent season. Despite giving up seven runs over his last three appearances, the 27-year-old held a 3.86 ERA with 58 strikeouts over 56 relief innings. Manager Derek Shelton expects Holderman to be a high-leverage reliever again in 2024 after the righty registered 27 holds and two saves in 2023. (Last updated: Sept. 22)

60-day IL

SS Oneil Cruz (fractured left fibula)
Expected return: 2024
Manager Derek Shelton said on Sept. 12 that Cruz will not return in the 2023 season. Still, Cruz will continue his rehab for the remainder of the season. Along with his running progression, Cruz has resumed hitting and is taking ground balls. Per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, the team's desire is for Cruz to continue his rehab in Florida once the season is over. General manager Ben Cherington said on Sept. 24 that the team would like him to play competitive baseball when he’s recovered in the offseason, which could include development camps or winter ball, among other options.

After experiencing left foot soreness in his rehab, the shortstop restarted his running progression on Sept. 4 and did not experience any flare-ups following his run. However, progress did not come along quickly enough for game action. Cruz has been on the injured list since April 10 after fracturing his left fibula in a collision with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala.

"We're running out of days. With an injury that happened that long ago, being able to do the proper rehab process, we got to the point where we ran out of time," Shelton said. "The rehab is continuing to go well. Now, I just think we have to figure out how we’re going to facilitate the offseason." (Last updated: Sept. 24)

DH/OF Andrew McCutchen (left Achilles)
Expected return: 2024
The Pirates placed McCutchen on the 10-day injured list due to a partial tear of the left Achilles on Sept. 6. Per Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, McCutchen will spend the next six weeks in a walking boot. With 3 1/2 weeks remaining, McCutchen's regular season is over. McCutchen will not require surgery, per Tomczyk. (Last updated: Sept. 6)

INF Tucupita Marcano (right knee ligament injury)
Expected return: Likely 2024
Marcano underwent season-ending ACL surgery on Aug. 9. The expected return to full baseball activities is nine to 12 months.

Marcano rode a stationary bike on Sept. 5 and is beginning to walk normally, per Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. He will be fitted for a functional ACL brace soon.

The infielder sustained the injury after he landed awkwardly when trying to avoid a tag on July 24 and collapsed. He was helped off the field by head athletic trainer Rafael Freitas and assistant athletic trainer Tony Leo, unable to put any pressure on his right leg. (Last updated: Sept. 13)

LHP Angel Perdomo (left elbow discomfort)
Expected return: 2024
Perdomo, who won't pitch for the rest of the season, will begin a plyometric throwing program with the intention of playing light catch later this week. Per Tomczyk, the goal is for Perdomo to throw off a mound so the team can have an assessment of Perdomo's state before the offseason.

The Pirates placed Perdomo on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 20 (retroactive to Aug. 19) due to left elbow discomfort, then transferred him to the 60-day IL on Aug. 24. Perdomo's last appearance was on Aug. 18 against the Twins, when he allowed two runs and recorded two outs. The left-hander has a 3.72 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 29 innings this season. (Last updated: Sept. 13)

RHP JT Brubaker (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Brubaker is scheduled to see Dr. Keith Meister, the surgeon on record, on Sept. 19. This will be his final checkup before he begins a plyometric throwing program, a precursor to a formal throwing program.

He is no longer wearing a post-operation brace on his right arm after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 12. His projected full return to Major League competition is 14-16 months following the surgery. (Last updated: Sept. 13)

LHP Jarlín García (injury to nerves in upper left arm)
Expected return: TBD
García is engaging in light throwing with his teammates, the first time he has thrown since March, but not with full strength. There is currently no timetable for his return. The Pirates placed García on the 60-day injured list prior to Opening Day. The team determined García sustained an injury to nerves in the "mid-humerus biceps region." (Last updated: July 19)

RHP Vince Velasquez (right elbow discomfort)
Expected return: 2024
Velasquez is scheduled to see Dr. ElAttrache on October 1. Similar to Brubaker, Velasquez will begin a plyometric throwing program before resuming throwing. He's on the trajectory to throw in early October. Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery to address damage to the UCL in his right elbow on June 9, per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. The team anticipates that Velasquez will resume throwing in four months with a return to Major League competition in 11-12 months.

On June 23, he was moved from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder Nick Gonzales. (Last updated: July 19)

Minor League IL

RHP Michael Burrows (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2024
No. 9 prospect Burrows underwent season-ending UCL reconstruction surgery on April 26. He is expected to return to action in 14 to 16 months. (Last updated: April 27)

INF Dariel Lopez (right knee dislocation)
Expected return: 2024
Lopez suffered a dislocated right knee while participating in a club-issued offseason conditioning program and will miss the entire 2023 season, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. (Last updated: March 16)

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