Colin Moran, Keone Kela unavailable as Pirates continue to monitor their injuries

A day after Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton declared infielder Colin Moran and closer Keone Kela “available” to play against the Chicago White Sox, the team’s director of sports medicine said both players are still unavailable while being monitored for injuries.

Moran is being evaluated for concussion-like symptoms after a collision at first base with Avisail Garcia of the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, while Kela has yet to throw a baseball after experiencing forearm tightness against the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 21 at PNC Park.

“Colin Moran, as we all are sensitive to with concussion or any type of head injuries, these are very fluid situations,” said Todd Tomcyzk, the Pirates’ director of sports medicine. “So the availability is unknown at this point in time.”

Tomcyzk said Kela is “making some strides in the overall decrease of the tightness” in the specific area he grabbed after throwing five pitches against the Indians in the ninth inning of a 7-2 win.

“He’s completing some advanced plyometric work in preparation of throwing,” Tomczyk said. “He has not picked up a baseball at this point. … I know Keone wants to pitch. He’s shared that with all of us. He just wants to be out there and be with his teammates and do the thing he loves to do, and that’s play baseball.”

Reliever Kyle Crick (shoulder) could be close to returning after throwing a live batting practice Wednesday in Chicago. It was the second live BP in three days for Crick, and Tomczyk said the early response is positive.

“From a health perspective, he continues to check all the boxes off,” Tomczyk said.

• Tomczyk said right-hander Joe Musgrove (right ankle, right triceps) is “making nice progress” and is expected to throw a two-inning simulated game at the team’s alternate training site in Altoona.

• Right-hander Jameson Taillon is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Thursday or Friday at Altoona, what Tomczyk called a “nice milestone” in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.

• Right-hander Mitch Keller (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and “continues to make strides,” Tomczyk said.

• Reliever Yacksel Rios has thrown for three consecutive days and responded well to the workload.

• Corner infielder Phillip Evans had surgery late last week to repair his fractured jaw, which is wired shut, and is expected to make a full recovery.

• Catcher Christian Kelley was examined by hand specialist Dr. Ed Birdsong of Allegheny Health Network, and had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right wrist. Kelley will be out eight to 10 weeks.