The Pirates just can't have nice things in 2019.
After somewhat of a re-emergence from Chris Archer in August, he is headed to the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Archer left Tuesday's game against the Nationals after one inning of work.
"The inflammation, the doctors felt, required a period of rest," Pirates head athletic trainer and director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told media at PNC Park Wednesday before the team's 7:05 p.m. game against the Nationals. "We will re-assess in about seven to 10 days. Chris will remain with the club and continue his conditioning program, continue his arm care and let the inflammation calm down."
The team is not ruling out Archer's 2019 return at this time.
Joining Archer on the IL will be Clay Holmes, who provided some much-needed, quality relief in his last two outings. Following early exits from Trevor Williams and Archer in consecutive games, Holmes threw 105 pitches combined over five-and-two-thirds innings, allowing just one earned run in the process.
While that's good from a team perspective, it took its toll on Holmes, who is now headed to the 10-day IL with discomfort in his left quadriceps.
Starting pitcher Dario Agrazal and reliever Parker Markel were recalled from AAA Indianapolis to replace Archer and Holmes on the 25-man roster.
• Nick Burdi continues his rehab progression in the Bradenton group.
• Good news: Chad Kuhl threw a bullpen session off the slope here at PNC Park. Tomczyk called it an "unbelievable step in the right direction" for Kuhl, who has now thrown "six to seven bullpens" so far in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Related: Dejan Kovacevic speaks with Kuhl at PNC Park
• Edgar Santana, like Kuhl, continues to progress in his journey back from Tommy John surgery and has thrown six to seven bullpen sessions. He would be here at PNC Park with the team but elected to stay in Florida to be with his family as they welcomed a newborn baby.
• Jameson Taillon is now eight days post-revision from his second Tommy John surgery. Yesterday, he got out of his post-op dressing and into his surgical brace. He will wear that for "quite some time now." Tomczyk says Taillon is "encouraged and optimistic."
• Francisco Cervelli has felt "no complications or issues" and will participate in Indianapolis' upcoming doubleheader in Toledo. He will catch the first game and serve as a designated hitter in the second.
• Gregory Polanco has resumed all baseball activities, hit in a sim game and also thrown to bases. It remains Polanco's goal to return to the major-league club before the end of the season.
• Tomczyk literally laughed when Lonnie Chisenhall's name came up. Not in a "ha ha, this is funny" way but in a "yeah, right" kind of way. No update there, needless to say.
One final point: I had to ask Tomczyk, given the scope of the entire season, just how strenuous this entire season has been for him and his staff. Always insightful and thorough, Tomczyk dropped a gem:
