CHICAGO – Keone Kela began a second rehab stint with Class AAA Indianapolis on a good note Saturday night.
The Pirates reliever pitched one perfect inning, striking out two, in a game against Columbus in the International League. He has been on the injured list since May 6 with right shoulder inflammation.
Kela made one appearance for Indianapolis on May 25. That rehab assignment was stopped after Kela felt pain in the shoulder.
In 14 games this season, Kela is 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. The Pirates acquired him from the Rangers in a trade last July 31. Kela made 16 appearances following the deal, his last on Sept. 3, before his season was cut short by what was described as arm fatigue.
Meanwhile, Erik Gonzalez has had his rehab assignment at Indianapolis halted because of a strained right hamstring. He has played in nine games for Indy, hitting just .188/.188/.219.
Gonzalez began the season as the starting shortstop after beating out Kevin Newman in a spring-training competition. However, Gonzalez fractured his left clavicle on April 19 when he collided with Starling Marte in a game against the Giants at PNC Park.
Gonzalez batted .216/.298/.294 in 16 games before being injured. He was acquired from the Indians in a five-player offseason trade that included Jordan Luplow going to Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Newman has seized the starting job, putting together a .325/.365/.470 line with six home runs and six stolen bases in 64 games. He has also committed just three errors in 48 games at shortstop, all coming April 8 in a game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
