Pirates GM Ben Cherington hopes Colin Moran, Phillip Evans can avoid rehab assignments

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping first baseman Colin Moran and corner infielder/outfielder Phillip Evans return from the injured list this week and “perhaps even avoid a rehab assignment,” general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday afternoon on his weekly radio show.

Moran (groin) and Evans (hamstring) were placed on the 10-day IL last week, forcing the Pirates to call up Will Craig from Triple-A Indianapolis to play first base.

Cherington addressed a handful of injuries and roster moves on 93.7 FM before Sunday’s game against the San Francisco Giants:

• Right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl (shoulder) pitched a two-inning simulated game last week and a side session Saturday and is expected to make multiple starts for Indianapolis.

• Rookie third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (wrist), who is on the 60-day IL, is expected to start his rehab assignment “in the next several days.”

• Rookie right-hander Miguel Yajure, who allowed one hit, one walk and had four strikeouts in five scoreless innings in Friday’s 3-2 win over the Giants, was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday but could return for spot starts to give pitchers a day of rest.

“He’s got an … advanced ability to command the baseball on all of his pitches,” Cherington said. “When you do that, you’ve got a chance to keep hitters off balance and be successful. … It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we see him again at some point.”

• Cherington said a “strong majority” of the Pirates’ minor league players and coaches are vaccinated from covid-19, “similar to the majors.”

Although Cherington called it an important personal choice that they are making, he said that the Pirates are “continuing to see a higher percentage” and are “inching closer” to reaching the 85% number where MLB would allow for relaxed health and safety protocols. Cherington said the Pirates are “certainly within single digits of that number.”