Pirates reliever Blake Cederlind to seek 2nd opinion on elbow

Todd Tomczyk recognized something was wrong with Blake Cederlind when the Pittsburgh Pirates reliever walked a batter with the bases loaded against the New York Yankees on March 10.

The 25-year-old right-hander left the game with two outs in the eighth inning and was later determined to have a strain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Cederlind has been placed on the 60-day injured list.

“You don’t want to immediately jump to any injury conclusions when they do have the bad performance,” said Tomczyk, the Pirates director of sports medicine, “but … that one did stick out to many of us to ask questions and investigate and see if Blake is feeling something that we should investigate further.”

Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cederlind requested a second opinion before deciding whether to get Tommy John surgery, which would end his season and require about 18 months of rehabilitation and recovery.

“Unfortunately, due to the (MLB healthy and safety) protocols, this has taken a little bit longer than we’d like, but we envision the second opinion happening next week,” Tomczyk said. “He will have a decision on the most appropriate and best plan of action for him moving forward.”

Tomczyk also addressed other Pirates with injury issues:

• Left-handed pitcher Austin Davis (elbow) is continuing his flat-ground progression by extending his throwing to 100 feet.

“He’s responding well to workload,” Tomczyk said. “Very encouraged by his progress.”

• Tomczyk said he’s also “encouraged” by the progress of right-hander Jose Soriano, who is throwing side sessions while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

• Infielder Phillip Evans has responded well to initial treatments for hamstring tightness, and the Pirates “envision him being made available” for a game this weekend.

• Right-hander Tyler Bashlor, who is dealing with back stiffness, threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning.

“The initial response is he’s feeling good,” said Tomczyk, who added the Pirates will see how Bashlor responds and then map out a plan for him with manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin.

• Outfielder Anthony Alford, who was hit on the wrist by a pitch, has been cleared to play and was in the starting lineup in center field for Wednesday’s game against Tampa Bay.