It may be about another month until Steven Brault returns to a Major-League mound, but he should be back in the dugout next week.
According to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Brault is scheduled to throw a live batting practice in Bradenton, Fla. this week, with the intention that he will rejoin the Pirates in Pittsburgh after their upcoming road trip.
“It'll be very important as we talk to Steven, Oscar [Marin], Derek [Shelton] and Ben [Cherington] alike for Steven to be around his teammates, be around the city, be around the fans,” Tomczyk said. “Not only to get a grasp on his progression, but also to be reengaged with the fanbase and the city as he makes a stride back to full pitching game activities.”
Brault has been sidelined with a left lat strain since March. He started throwing side sessions again two weeks ago and has been progressing with his throwing program. He has been away from the team at Pirate City since spring training.
“It's just a move for him to be around the team, for Oscar, for the informatics, the coaching staff, for Derek just to see Steven, since we haven't really seen him… since spring training,” Tomczyk said. “We talk to him daily, we see videos of him, but having that live and in person interaction will be key, not only for Steven but for us so we can really get a grasp of where he's at and then make the progressions after the homestand."
Last week, Tomczyk said that if Brault’s rehab continues to go well, he could return before the end of July. Getting him back before the trade deadline would help reinforce the team's pitching depth, especially in the rotation.
Tomczyk said Brault will need to make rehab starts in the minors before he returns to Major-League game action.
MORE INJURY NEWS
• Sam Howard was diagnosed with right knee tendinitis after dealing with an ailment in that knee throughout the year. It flared up in his most recent outing Friday against the Indians, and he was placed on the injured list Sunday.
He has responded well to initial treatments, and Tomczyk does not think it will be a long-term issue.
• Luis Oviedo (quad) has resumed all throwing activities off the mound and will likely throw a live batting practice or sim game this weekend in St. Louis.
Trevor Cahill (calf) has not begun throwing again, but is doing cardio.
• Some minor-league injury news to close:
Nick Gonzales (finger) has transferred to the Florida group to get live at-bats and swings. The development team envisions him rejoining Class High-A Greensboro within the next seven days.
Brennan Malone has suffered a "mild" injury to his right shoulder, which the medical team is assessing as lat soreness. He will not throw for a short period of time.
Cole Tucker has been dealing with a non-COVID-19 related virus that has kept him out of the lineup since June 13. He is expected to return to game action later this week, potentially this weekend.
Miguel Yajure (elbow) has resumed throwing and is on a flatground program. Both are encouraging signs, but the Pirates are still going to take things slowly for now.
"We’re going to make sure that all parties, notably Miguel, feel comfortable, confident," Tomczyk said.
