Pirates Injury Update: Spencer Horwitz recovery, Johan Oviedo, bullpen options

Pittsburgh Pirates spring training is in full swing with squad workouts this week in Bradenton, Fla. However, not every invitee arrived in perfect health.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk met with media members Wednesday and provided updates on a handful of players in various stages of their injury recovery. The key updates, as reported by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, are summarized below.

Pirates Injury Update: Spencer Horwitz, Johan Oviedo and more

Spencer Horwitz (1B)

Arguably the Pirates' biggest offseason acquisition, Spencer Horwitz got off to an inauspicious start with the organization when it was revealed that the first baseman had undergone surgery on his right wrist the week before spring workouts began. Per Tomczyk's update Wednesday morning, Horwitz had his sutures removed earlier this week and has already begun taking one-handed swings and fielding ground balls at spring training. It is unlikely that he'll be ready by Opening Day, as he is still on track to return in 6-to-8 weeks.

Johan Oviedo (RHP)

Right-hander Johan Oviedo, who missed all of the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, is in the "live bullpen" phase of his throwing program. According to Tomczyk, Oviedo has been cleared to use his full repertoire and has no restrictions on which pitches he can or can't throw. He hasn't yet been cleared to face hitters, so it's unlikely that we will see him during Grapefruit League action; expect him to open the 2025 season with a brief stint on the injured list as he gets back up to game speed.

Dauri Moreta (RHP)

Dauri Moreta, who is also returning from Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 60-day IL over the weekend to clear space on the Pirates' 40-man roster for newly signed outfielder Tommy Pham. According to Tomczyk, Moreta is making good progress in his recovery. Like Oviedo, Moreta is unlikely to pitch in any spring training games this year. He is currently throwing side sessions and will continue to increase the intensity of his throwing sessions throughout the spring until he is cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. Moreta could begin a minor league rehab assignment as early as late April, but his 60-day IL status makes him ineligible to pitch in an MLB game for the Pirates until at least late May.

Hunter Stratton (RHP)

Hunter Stratton, whose 2024 season ended early when he suffered a ruptured patella tendon last August, is already throwing off a mound and is slated to begin a running progression soon. The reliever hasn't been ruled out for Opening Day; but given that he's still rehabbing his injury while at spring training as a non-roster invitee, it's unlikely that he breaks camp with the big league club.

Yerry Rodriguez (RHP) & Sean Sullivan (RHP)

Tomczyk said Wednesday that right-hander Yerry Rodriguez, whom the Pirates signed to a minor league contract this offseason, is dealing with right elbow discomfort and is seeking a second opinion on his injury. Fellow minor league pitcher Sean Sullivan is also battling elbow discomfort but is throwing catch, though he won't see any Grapefruit League game action this spring.

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