Pirates Injury Report: ‘Very Encouraging News’ For Taillon

After being sidelined with injury for most of the year, there is finally some good news for Jameson Taillon.

New imaging on Taillon’s right elbow shows healing, and the plan for him is a 10-14 day period where he will play catch from 60-70 feet, along with biometric treatment.

“All in all, very encouraging news, and we’ll see how he responds to throwing,” said director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk.

Surgery is not being discussed at this point in time, said Tomczyk.

That biometric plan includes work with weighted and medicine balls to make sure to introduce stress back to his arm, according to Taillon.

“We’re getting there,” Taillon said.

“Actually, just in the last couple of weeks alone, I’ve noticed a lot of improvement. It’s responding well to the work we’re doing,” he added, later.

Taillon believes that if all goes well, he will pitch again for the Pirates in 2019.

“The throwing program is going to manifest a lot of things and bring a lot of things to light quicker,” Tomczyk said.

Other Injury Updates

Francisco Cervelli (concussion) has been cleared to practice only. That entails running, fielding ground balls and hitting, but not squatting behind the plate. They don’t anticipate making a decision about him until after the All-Star break.

Gregory Polanco (left shoulder inflammation) will start a rehab assignment in AAA Indianapolis Thursday, July 4. It should run through the All-Star break, if not beyond.

Erik Gonzalez (left clavicle fracture) is rehabbing with AAA Indianapolis.

Keone Kela (right shoulder inflammation) threw a bullpen session before Wednesday’s game. If he responds to that as Tomczyk anticipates, he will throw a sim game Saturday.

Nick Burdi (right bicep/elbow) is resting comfortably after his Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery. He has a post-op visit in St. Louis later this month.

Edgar Santana and Chad Kuhl (both recovering from Tommy John) have no change in symptoms or expectations. They are anticipated to be able to throw off a slope in late July or early August.

Rookie Davis (right middle finger blister) has resumed playing catch on flat ground in Bradenton.