Pirates SS Erik Gonzalez set for surgery; Starling Marte improving
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Erik Gonzalez will have surgery Thursday morning to repair and stabilize his broken collarbone.
Gonzalez collided Friday with center fielder Starling Marte, putting both players on the injured list.
Marte, who suffered abdominal wall and rib contusions, is progressing well, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said.
“Very encouraging news at this time,” Tomczyk said. “We are still optimistic that it could be the minimal time down.”
Marte is eligible to return to the active roster Monday. Tomczyk said a timetable for Gonzalez’s return will be addressed after surgery. He is on the 60-day injured list.
Gonzalez and Marte are two of 15 Pirates players who have spent time on the injured list this season. Ten remain on it.
Tomczyk said he and the team’s medical and training staff try to treat the situation routinely.
“It’s another day in the life,” he said. “As athletic trainers, we’re looking forward to the challenge. The good thing is most of these guys are on the mend and getting back.”
Bryan Reynolds, who left Tuesday’s game with a quad injury, is one of six outfielders who have missed time this season.
“It’s not how you draw it up,” Reynolds said. “But we’ll get through it just fine.”
Tomczyk offered his weekly injury assessment before Wednesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• Left fielder Corey Dickerson (shoulder strain) is hitting without problems and is throwing on flat ground. He has been on the list since April 4, has missed 17 games and is getting closer to a possible rehab assignment.
• Catcher Jacob Stallings (neck) has resumed light baseball activities.
• Reynolds took batting practice Wednesday, and his availability for the game was unclear.
• Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall (finger fracture) is scheduled for a third rehab in Indianapolis. “He has responded well. The hand feels good. The body feels good, so he is making progress,” Tomczyk said.
• Shortstop Kevin Newman (finger) will play outfield and shortstop during his rehab in Indy.
• Outfielder Jose Osuna (neck) is on a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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