Pirates Injury Update: Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz timelines, Wilber Dotel rehab, Endy Rodríguez

The Pittsburgh Pirates received encouraging updates Sunday on two key injured bats, with general manager Ben Cherington saying both Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz are progressing well and could return from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break.

Neither player is expected to be activated immediately when the Pirates open their second-half schedule July 17 in Cleveland, but both appear to be trending toward possible returns before the end of the month.

Cruz has been sidelined since June 11 with fractures in his left hand, but he has shed his cast and reported to the Pirates’ facility in Florida last week to resume baseball activities. The next step will be continuing his ramp-up process, and if all goes well, Cruz could be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment once games resume after the All-Star break. That would put him on track to rejoin the Pirates before the end of July, assuming there are no setbacks.

Horwitz, meanwhile, landed on the 10-day injured list June 25 with a left hamstring strain. He has also reported to Florida to begin his rehab program and appears to be making positive progress. Like Cruz, Horwitz is not expected back right away after the break, but he could begin a rehab assignment around that time.

The Pirates' lineup has done more than merely stay afloat without these two important pieces, but the possibility of getting Cruz and Horwitz back later this month would be a major second-half boost as they hunt down a National League Wild Card spot.

Wilber Dotel set to make second minor-league rehab appearance Tuesday

The Pirates appear to be nearing a decision point with Wilber Dotel, who is scheduled to make another minor-league rehab appearance Tuesday as he continues working back from a lat strain.

Cherington said Sunday that Dotel will pitch again with a minor-league affiliate, a potentially important final step before the right-hander returns from the 15-day injured list. Dotel began his rehab assignment June 27 with Double-A Altoona, tossing a scoreless inning in his first game action.

Dotel hasn't appeared in a minor-league game since, but the Pirates had him throw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Friday as part of his progression. Now, he will return to a game setting Tuesday for what could be a final tune-up outing. If all goes well, Dotel could rejoin the Pirates’ bullpen soon after, giving Pittsburgh another needed relief option.

Endy Rodríguez's injury status still unclear after early exit Sunday

The Pirates didn't have an immediate update on Endy Rodríguez after the catcher exited Sunday’s 11-5 win over the Nationals with left side discomfort. Manager Don Kelly said Rodríguez was still being evaluated for left side discomfort after appearing to injure himself on a swing in the eighth inning.

Rodríguez initially remained in the game and delivered a one-out single before being lifted for pinch-runner Henry Davis. The hit proved important, helping spark the Pirates’ decisive five-run eighth inning. Jared Triolo followed with a single, Jake Mangum drew a walk, Konnor Griffin drove in two runs with a single and Brandon Lowe later added a three-run homer to provide extra insurance.

Rodríguez missed some time in June with discomfort in his left hip, so it's possible he aggravated a preexisting injury. The team could offer more clarity on Rodríguez's status before Tuesday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves, though Henry Davis is likely to get the start regardless with Paul Skenes on the mound.

Rodríguez’s status will be worth monitoring closely, especially given how important he has been to Pittsburgh’s catching mix. If Rodríguez does need to miss additional time, Davis would likely see more playing time behind the plate while Rafael Flores Jr. would be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to assume backup duties.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow