'Just a move for him to be around the team': Steven Brault to join Pirates for next homestand but not ready to return

Steven Brault is scheduled to throw a live batting practice this week and will be joining the Pittsburgh Pirates for their next homestand, but the left-hander isn’t quite ready to return to major league action yet.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Brault (left lat strain) “continues to make excellent progress with his return-to-pitch program” in Bradenton and called it “just a move for him to be around the team” — mentioning general manager Ben Cherington, manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin in particular – for the first time since spring training.

“We talk to him daily, we see videos of him, but having that live and in-person interaction will be key, not only for Steven but for us so we can really get a grasp of where he’s at and then make the progressions after the homestand,” Tomczyk said. “It’ll be very important as we talk to Steven, Oscar, Derek and Ben alike for Steven to be around his teammates, be around the city, be around the fans, not only to get a grasp on his progression but also to be reengaged with the fanbase and the city as he makes a stride back to full pitching game activities.”

In other Pirates injury list updates:

• Tomczyk said left-hander Trevor Cahill, who reaggravated a strained left calf, is not making progress “as quickly as we anticipated” and has yet to resume throwing.

“He’s doing limited cardio activities inside,” Tomczyk said, “so he is sort of plateaued in his healing progress in regards to the calf.”

• Tomczyk called lefty reliever Sam Howard’s right knee tendinitis “something that’s been acute on chronic throughout the season,” but that he felt more symptoms in his final outing June 18 against the Cleveland Indians, when Howard allowed six runs on four hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning.

“We do not envision this being long-term, for he has responded favorably to the initial treatments, and we anticipate him throwing off a slope in the coming days,” Tomczyk said. “Hopefully, this will not be a long-term issue with Sam.”

• Right-hander Luis Oviedo (left quad) has resumed all throwing activities off the mound and is working toward throwing a live batting practice or simulated game in St. Louis.

• A pair of right-handers are recovering from Tommy John surgery. Reliever Blake Cederlind is rehabilitating in Bradenton, whereas Rule 5 Draft pick Jose Soriano has a follow-up appointment in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache following surgery last week.

• Right-hander Miguel Yajure, who was experiencing sensation in his elbow and forearm, has resumed throwing in Bradenton.

“This is not something that we’re going to rush back,” Tomczyk said. “We’re going to make sure that all parties, notably Miguel, feel comfortable, confident. You’ve heard us talk about that with previous players’ rehabs. We want to make sure he has that same confidence that he had coming in when we first got him in spring training. So there’s no setback, he is making nice progress and he continues to work through a flatground throwing program.”

• Shortstop Cole Tucker missed games this past week for Triple-A Indianapolis because of a virus, which Tomczyk said was “non-covid-related.” He could return to playing “potentially this weekend.”

• After injuring his knee during an in-game collision, Double-A Altoona infielder Ji-Hwan Bae (knee) is limited in his agility movement but has progressed to a ground-based running program. Tomczyk said the Pirates are anticipating Bae to be out four to six weeks.

• Tomczyk said right-hander Brennan Malone sustained a “mild injury to his right shoulder, which the medical team is assessing as lat soreness” and has been shut down from throwing to prevent it from becoming a chronic issue.

• Triple-A Indianapolis outfielder Travis Swaggerty, the Pirates’ 2018 first-round pick, has transitioned his rehab to Bradenton after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

• Infielder Nick Gonzales, the Pirates’ No. 1 pick last June, he has been hitting live pitching in Bradenton without issues after injuring his pinky finger. Tomczyk said he envisions Gonzales returning to High-A Greensboro “within the next probably seven days.”