Pirates Injury Updates: Jared Jones close to return, Ryan Borucki suffers setback

The Pittsburgh Pirates got some good news over the weekend as they continue their push toward a postseason berth. Rookie right-hander Jared Jones, who has been on the injured list since July 4 due to a right lat strain, threw a live batting practice Saturday afternoon and will soon take another step closer toward returning to the big league club.

After throwing two bullpen sessions and Saturday's live batting practice, Jones is now on the cusp of being cleared for game action. He will likely be required to make multiple starts in the minor leagues before rejoining Pittsburgh's rotation, but he should be able to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of August, barring any setbacks in his recovery.

In the latest episode of his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington confirmed that Jones was progressing on the path toward game action and said he anticipated that the right-hander would begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis "soon."

Jones has been a key piece to the Pirates’ starting rotation this season, going 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA in 16 starts prior to his injury.

Pirates reliever Ryan Borucki suffers setback during rehab assignment

While Pirates fans should be heartened by Jones' progress, the latest update on injured left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki is far less encouraging. Borucki hasn't appeared in a game for the Pirates since April 5 and has missed much of the season since landing on the 60-day injured list with left triceps inflammation in May; his absence played a large part in Cherington's decision to acquire left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks from the Colorado Rockies ahead of the trade deadline.

He has made a total of 10 rehab appearances between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis and recently rejoined the Pirates during their road series in Houston, which many took to be a positive sign. However, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last Friday that Borucki had suffered a setback in his recovery and would be shut down from throwing for three to five days after receiving an anti-inflammation injection.

Per Destin's report, the inflammation that landed Borucki on the injured list in the spring has now "crept" into different spot in the forearm. The team will reassess Borucki's progress at some point this week; but in the meantime, don't expect to see him back in the Pirates' bullpen until at least September.

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