Keller, Musgrove will pitch again 'shortly'

CHICAGO -- The Pirates' pitching staff has been hit hard with injuries throughout the 2020 season, creating depth concerns in the rotation. Those concerns could be amplified this week if the team trades away any pitchers ahead of the Aug. 31 trade deadline.

But it looks like there are some reinforcements coming, as Joe Musgrove and Mitch Keller continue to make strides the their rehab, signaling both will return this season.

"We firmly believe that both men – Joe and Mitch – will be pitching again for us shortly,” director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday.

Musgrove was placed on the injured list from his next start on Aug. 8 due to ankle soreness. He was placed on the injured list shortly after, citing right triceps inflammation as well.

He is set to pitch a simulated game at the club's alternate training site in Altoona, Pa. "in the coming days."

That outing is expected to be two innings. Depending on how his body responds, he could be built up to four or five innings from there.

Keller injured his left oblique in Chicago on Aug. 1 and was shut down for the weeks following, but has started throwing side sessions again, including one Tuesday.

Tomczyk said both pitchers are making "nice progress."

The short season schedule originally raised concern if either pitcher would be able to pitch again this year, but those concerns are essentially gone. Now both pitchers should be able to get some more competitive innings in to help prepare for 2021.



• After being available off the bench Tuesday, Colin Moran's status for Wednesday was not clear after concussion-like symptoms reemerged. He was tested again, but the results were not known.

Moran was removed from Sunday's game a few innings after a collision at first base.

• Kevin Newman still remains available to play. He was removed from Sunday's game after tweaking his lower abdominal on a swing.

"In our experience with Kevin, he’s a pretty quick healer from soft tissue-type injuries and he knows his body better than most," Tomczyk said. "He understands, he knows how to push himself. If anything, we’re holding him back in some ways to make sure that he can go out there and be the player that Kevin needs to be and that Derek [Shelton] needs him to be.”

• Despite Shelton saying that Keone Kela was available to pitch Tuesday, Tomczyk said he has not thrown yet.

"Once that mindset, the comfort, the symptoms completely resolve, he will throw."

• Jameson Taillon is about to hit another milestone on his rehab, as he is set to face live hitters for the first time since the injury. It will happen in the alternate camp in Altoona either Friday or Saturday.

He will pitch one inning.

• Kyle Crick (right shoulder) threw another live batting practice Wednesday after throwing one Monday. The early response from those sessions has been positive.

"From a health perspective, he continues to check all the boxes off."

• Phillip Evans had surgery to wire his fractured jaw last week. The surgery does not push back his recovery window.

• James Marvel (right forearm) has been throwing side sessions and will soon progress to pitching in a live batting practice.

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