The Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation suffered another blow when right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to address the injured ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Friday afternoon that Velasquez’s surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who repaired Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s throwing elbow in September 2019.

“Optimistically, Dr. ElAttrache feels Vince will be able to return to throwing in four months with a full return to competition in 11-12 months’ time,” Tomczyk said. “Unfortunate for us, but for the longevity of Vince’s career, very optimistic that he will be able to resume that and at a high level.”

The Pirates signed Velasquez to a one-year, $3.15 million contract in December with the promise that he could compete for a spot in the starting rotation, and he played a big role in their strong start in April. Velasquez, 31, was 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 37 1/3 innings over eight starts, although his last two starts were abbreviated when he experienced discomfort in his right elbow.

Velasquez was removed after third inning of a 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay on May 4 after experiencing right elbow discomfort. Velasquez was placed on the 15-day injured list but was activated to start at Seattle on May 27. He left that game after allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts in two innings.

Velasquez lost his first two starts, at Cincinnati and against the Chicago White Sox, but went 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA while holding hitters to a .165/.232/.231 slash line while striking out 28 and walking seven over his next four starts. Velasquez had a 19-inning scoreless streak snapped in the second inning at Tampa Bay.

With Velasquez out, the Pirates’ starting pitching depth is getting thin behind Mitch Keller and 43-year-old lefty Rich Hill. They added Johan Oviedo to the rotation when starter JT Brubaker underwent Tommy John surgery in April. In Velasquez’s absence, the Pirates promoted another top-10 prospect, Luis Ortiz, who is 1-2 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in six games, including five starts.

In addition, Roansy Contreras has struggled, losing his last four decisions. Top-10 prospect Mike Burrows also had Tommy John surgery in April. That makes right-hander Quinn Priester, their first-round pick in 2019, as the most likely starter to join the rotation this summer.

“What it means for this rotation moving forward is exactly when he went out with the injury: It tests depth,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re going to have to have different guys step up, whether it’s guys that are here or guys within the organization. Just like when we’ve lost relievers or position players before, then the next guys’s gotta step up. It tests our depth a little bit.”

Other Pirates injury updates, per Tomczyk:

• Shortstop Oneil Cruz (fractured left ankle) is out of the walking boot and can walk without crutches, although he occasionally will use them as he regains his strength and range of motion.

“Don’t be alarmed by that,” Tomczyk said. “That is just a normal progress, as he gets fully out of the boot and learns how to walk, hopefully, run, sprint and play baseball at a high level very soon.”

• First baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (left Achilles strain) is hitting, fielding ground balls and working his way through a running progression. The Pirates are hopeful that Choi will begin to run the bases in the next seven to 10 days, which means he won’t be ready to return from the 60-day injured list when he becomes eligible on Tuesday.

“He is making progress,” Tomczyk said. “I wouldn’t say setbacks. Eight weeks was the shortest timeframe of the expectation. I still think he’s within range of returning to full baseball competition that we originally prescribed and discussed.”

• Right-handed reliever Wil Crowe (shoulder) has progressed in throwing to 120 feet with “no issues, no concerns.” Crowe, who is eligible to come off the 60-day IL on June 22, is expected to throw off a slope in a side session sometime next week.

• Right-handed starter Max Kranick, who had Tommy John surgery last June, has a locker at PNC Park for the weekend. Kranick is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday and then face live hitters in the next couple of weeks.

“It is important for our staff to get our eyes on him, but that isn’t the primary goal,” Tomczyk said. “The primary goal is to continue to boost morale of a player such as Max that’s going to be a contributor to this team, was a contributor to this team and continue to build up his morale. That is a grind down in Florida. That rehab group does an excellent job.

“It’s less about our team getting touches and more about Max getting exposed to his teammates and having a shot of adrenaline, if you must, that the end is near.”

• Triple-A Indianapolis first baseman Malcom Nunez (shoulder) is expected to be transfer his rehabilitation to Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., to “get more concerted reps and to get him more focused on getting back.”

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