Jameson Taillon has sustained what is possibly a significant setback in his rehab from a right elbow flexor-tendon strain.
Taillon felt pain in the elbow last weekend while playing catch from 90 feet. The Pirates are in the process of setting up an appointment with orthopedist Dr. David Altchek in New York.
“I believe this has run the course of conservative care,” Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said before Wednesday night’s game with the Cardinals at PNC Park.
That sounds ominous. Usually, the next step once conservative care does not work is surgery, though Tomczyk stopped short of saying Taillon would need an operation.
“That will be up to the surgeon,” Tomczyk said.
Taillon last pitched on May 1. He is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in seven starts this season.
Taillon missed the 2014 and 2015 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
In other injury news:
• Gregory Polanco was examined by Altchek on Tuesday and confirmed the Pirates medical staff’s diagnosis of a left posterior shoulder strain. Polanco was prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and told not to throw for 7-10 days while continuing strengthening and range of motion exercises.
Polanco had surgery last September to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. He has been on the injured list since June 19 and had a rehab assignment stopped last week with Class AAA Indianapolis because of shoulder pain.
• Francisco Cervelli has been cleared to begin light catching activities, including receiving pitchers from a machine. Out since May 26 with a concussion, Cervelli still does not have a timetable for when he might be activated from the IL. He was transferred today from the 7-day concussion IL to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for Keone Kela's activation from the IL.
• Steven Brault had a bullpen session Wednesday. That was the first time he has thrown off a mound since going on the IL on July 6 with a left shoulder strain.
• Erik Gonzalez (left clavicle fracture/left hamstring strain) continues his rehab assignment with Indy.
• Rookie Davis (right middle finger blister/right forearm strain) is throwing off a mound at the Pirates’ spring training complex in Bradenton, Fla.
• Lonnie Chisenhall (left calf strain) remains home in North Carolina and the Pirates had no further update.
