Whether Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes can return this season 'still to be determined'

The Pittsburgh Pirates got some more clarity on the back issues bothering Ke’Bryan Hayes but don’t appear too optimistic that the Gold Glove third baseman will be ready to return for games this season.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes was recommended rehabilitation after being examined by spine surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins, as well as team physicians, to deal with the lumbar spine issues that have caused lower back inflammation and kept him on the injured list since Aug. 19.

“The plan is to get his body and his core strong as it possibly can and get in the best cardiovascular shape that he can,” Tomczyk said Friday afternoon. “And he’s doing that. He’s working through that. The plan is to begin some light baseball activities — light, meaning playing catch — then we’ll see where we end up from there. Ke’Bryan is in a very good mindset right now and he’s doing a very good (job) of dominating that.”

Tomczyk said it’s “still to be determined” whether Hayes can return this season. The Pirates are down to their final 16 games, and Hayes is just starting to return to baseball activities.

“I know that’s his mindset. He wants to play. And we’re going to continue to help push him towards his goals,” Tomczyk said. “Part of that will be playing, part of that is to get his body in the best shape with the exercises and the core and the trunk as best as we can and get him in really good cardiovascular shape. So that’s the overarching goal. Big picture is to get him in the best shape possible for the 2025 season.”

Tomczyk stressed the importance of Hayes making progress so he can resume baseball activities — he has been limited to cardio and rehabilitation — if he can avoid playing without the back pain that has hampered him.

“So yes, the goal, if we get there — at least we have the mindset to help him get back into games,” Tomczyk said. “But, if we’re making progress, he feels normal with the baseball activities that we’re introducing after the new training program, I think that’s a win.”

In other Pirates injury news:

• Left-handed starting pitcher Marco Gonzales is out nine to 12 months after undergoing surgery to repair the flexor tendon and having an internal brace on the ulnar collateral ligament, which involves lacing a collagen-coated tape to the ligament.

The surgery — which Tomczyk distinguished is different than UCL revision — was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who has previously operated on Gonzales, and Dr. Steve Shin, both of Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

• Righty reliever Hunter Stratton, who underwent surgery to repair a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee, had his staples removed by team physician Dr. Darren Frank.

Stratton has been cleared to begin some “gentle” range of motion, and must remain in a post-op splint brace for about six weeks but will soon transition his rehabilitation to his home in Tennessee.

• Catcher Henry Davis was examined by hand surgeon Dr. Tom Graham and diagnosed with a left hand contusion. Tomczyk said Davis has to clear activities of daily life, like driving a car, before he can progress to baseball activity.

• Catcher Endy Rodriguez began his rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Altoona, and Tomczyk said he’s “not surprised” to see him already behind the plate after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right (throwing) elbow in December.

“This young man is committed to his trade, dedicated, hardworking and, the day after the surgery, is like, ‘I’ll be back in 2024,’” Tomczyk said. “That’s what he said. Encouraged, happy for him, and it’s a testament to Endy and the commitment he put into his rehab. He has worked his tail off to get to the position where he’s at.”

• Right-handed starter Johan Oviedo, out all season after having Tommy John surgery, is throwing out to 120 feet four times a week and is “in a really, really good spot” and expected to be ready for spring training in February.

• Righty reliever Dauri Moreta, who also had TJ surgery, is throwing out to 60 feet but is behind Oviedo’s progress. Moreta is projected to return to games sometime around next June or July.