Pirates Injury Update: Ryan O'Hearn rehab assignment, Kirby Yates IL timeline

Ryan O’Hearn is taking a significant step toward returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup.

O’Hearn is expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Indianapolis as he continues working his way back from a left quad strain. The veteran first baseman/outfielder has been on the injured list since Aug. 1.

This marks O’Hearn’s second quad-related absence of the season. He previously missed roughly two weeks in May because of a right quad strain, making his upcoming rehab stint an important test before the Pirates clear him for major-league action.

When healthy, O’Hearn has been one of Pittsburgh’s most productive hitters in his first season with the organization. Through 96 games, the 33-year-old is batting .270 with a .788 OPS, 17 home runs and 69 RBIs.

His return would give the Pirates another proven middle-of-the-order bat as they enter the final weeks of the season. Pittsburgh has dealt with inconsistency offensively throughout the second half, making O’Hearn’s presence particularly valuable down the stretch.

O’Hearn has also provided veteran leadership in a relatively young Pittsburgh clubhouse. The nine-year major-leaguer joined the Pirates last offseason on a two-year, $29 million contract. Tuesday’s rehab assignment represents his clearest step yet toward rejoining the Pirates as they look to make a September playoff push.

Ben Cherington provides promising update on Kirby Yates’ Pirates return

The Pirates could also have veteran reliever Kirby Yates back in their bullpen in relatively short order. General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday on his weekly radio show that the Pirates are hopeful Yates can return around the time he becomes eligible to come off the 15-day injured list.

Yates was placed on the IL retroactive to Aug. 31 with a right shoulder impingement, making Sept. 15 his earliest possible return date.

The 39-year-old experienced discomfort after a taxing Aug. 26 appearance against the San Diego Padres in which he threw 35 pitches. Cherington said Yates did not recover as well as hoped afterward, prompting Pittsburgh to give his shoulder time to calm down rather than risk the issue worsening.

Yates has been a valuable addition since Pittsburgh acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels at the Aug. 4 trade deadline. In 13 appearances with the Pirates, he owns a 2.19 ERA across 12.1 innings. Getting Yates back near Sept. 15 would provide another experienced late-inning option for Pittsburgh during the season’s final stretch.

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