Reliever Hughes logs scoreless rehab appearance

CINCINNATI -- On the disabled list since June 8, retroactive to June 6, with right shoulder inflammation, Pirates reliever Jared Hughes made his fourth rehab appearance on Saturday and allowed one hit and two walks in a scoreless first inning.

The outing, in which Hughes threw just seven of his 18 pitches for strikes, wasn't as sharp as his previous performance on Wednesday, when he allowed just one hit in two innings. However, he's now graduated to the next step in his rehab process.

"He's going to have a day off, and then going back to back is the next challenge for him," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He'll go back to back on [July] 22-23."

Hughes pitched in 15 games for Pittsburgh before the injury, earning two holds and a 1-2 record to go with a 4.96 ERA. The right-hander's immediate future when his rehab assignment is complete is unclear, as Hurdle said it will depend on the club's bullpen needs.