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Pirates News: Chad Kuhl Undergoes UCL Surgery

By David Slusser

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 15: Chad Kuhl #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on June 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 15: Chad Kuhl #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on June 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl has undergone surgery for his UCL.

Chad Kuhl last pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 26th against the New York Mets.  The right-hander lasted only four innings before being removed with right forearm tightness.  He went through a period of rest before undergoing surgery yesterday morning.  Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates revealed that Kuhl “underwent right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery.”  In other words, Kuhl had Tommy John Surgery and it will take 14-16 months before returns to the mound at the Major League level.

Here’s a full timeline of events:

  • June 26, Kuhl exits start against the New York Mets with right forearm discomfort
  • July 7, Kuhl went to get a second opinion on the forearm
  • July 11, Kuhl was shutdown from throwing for four weeks
  • August 18, Kuhl played catch from 50 geet
  • August 29, Kuhl threw off a slope, with the following steps being bullpens and live BP
  • September 5, Kuhl threw a 30 pitch fastball bullpen
  • September 12, Kuhl began another bullpen but was shutdown with more forearm tightness
  • September 14, Kuhl visited Dr. David Altchek for a second opinion
  • September 19, Kuhl undergoes Tommy John surgery

The Pirates originally thought a conservative program involving rest would lead to Kuhl returning in the 2018 season, in which he would be throwing out of the bullpen this month.  However, the tightness came back and he has since gotten surgery.

With the recovery process being 14-16 months, Kuhl will miss all of the 2019 season, and looking like the rehab process will be complete in October to December of next year.  That sets Kuhl’s return for the 2020 season, but with recovering from the surgery and the rotation all but looking filled (without too much projecting ahead and Keller replacing Nova), Kuhl’s return might have to be in a relief role.

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Well wishes to Chad as he recovers from his elbow surgery, and hopefully he’ll be back on the mound in black and gold for the start of 2020.

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