Pirates' Jameson Taillon optimistic; Francisco Cervelli progressing
Jameson Taillon remains about 18 months away from pitching in a spring training game.
But the long road back from Tommy John surgery began for the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher.
“ ‘Jamo’ is eight days post-(surgery),” Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said, “and he had a nice landmark yesterday, getting out of his post-opp dressing and into a surgical brace, which he will wear quite some time now.
“He is very encouraged and optimistic about his journey back.”
#Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon, who started the season atop the rotation, will miss the entire 2020 and won’t be able to return to the mound until ‘21 https://t.co/dxsEGWchv8
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 15, 2019
Other tidbits from Tomczyk’s weekly meeting with the media:
• Two others who are much farther along in their recovery from Tommy John surgery, Chad Kuhl and Edgar Santana, each have thrown “six to seven” bullpen sessions in recent weeks, Tomczyk said. Kuhl’s was in PNC Park.
“So far in their journey back … things continue to move in the right direction,” Tomczyk said.
• Catcher Francisco Cervelli (concussion) has not experienced any setbacks during his minor league rehabilitation assignment. Cervelli had a .385 average in 16 at-bats over five combined games for Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis heading into a scheduled doubleheader Wednesday that Cervelli was expected to play both ends of.
“Continue to report no issues with Francisco,” Tomczyk said.
• Gregory Polanco (left-shoulder inflammation related to offseason surgery) has resumed baseball activities in Bradenton, Fla. He recently participated in a simulated game that included running the bases and is progressing to a return to game action.
Polanco is trending toward a minor league rehab assignment in the upper levels of the organization by the end of August. The Pirates remain hopeful he can return to the majors this season.
“I know that was Gregory’s goal and mindset, and the medical team’s as well,” Tomczyk said.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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