MILWAUKEE – Trevor Williams took a sizable step forward in his rehab from a strained right side Saturday morning, getting through a four-inning, 64-pitch simulated game at Miller Park before the Pirates faced the Brewers at Miller Park.
Williams pitched to Erik Gonzalez and hitting coach Rick Eckstein. Clint Hurdle served as the umpire.
"I liked what I saw," Hurdle would say. "Everything free and easy, and he did everything you'd want. A little fielding, a few pickoffs, and the pitching was fine."
Barring any change, Williams will make a rehab start in the minor leagues Thursday, most likely with Class AAA Indianapolis, though he hadn't yet been told where. From there, theoretically, he could start for the Pirates as soon as June 18 against the Tigers at PNC Park, the first game after this ongoing 10-game trip.
"If I was a reliever, I'd probably be out there right now," Williams said, motioning toward the field. "But as a starter, my job is to fill innings."
Williams was hurt May 16 while pitching in San Diego, and that was among the worst losses the rotation could have incurred: In nine starts, he's 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA.
“It’s my first time on the IL, so I’ve been feeling pretty useless,” Williams said with a slight smile. “I mean, you cheer for your teammates, but whenever your turn comes up and you’re missing it, it stings a little bit. But it happened for a reason. Big picture, maybe I needed some time off. I’m excited to get back out there, help the team as much as I can and get the ball every five days.”
Also here Saturday morning, Chris Stratton threw a 26-pitch simulated game, his first such work since he left a game May 25 with right side discomfort, his fourth appearance for the Pirates since being acquired from the Angels in a May 11 trade.
