Pirates Injury Report: Cervelli Catches Sim Games, Taillon’s Surgery Being Scheduled

Francisco Cervelli is back behind the plate, though it is just for sim games at the moment.

Cervelli, who has been sidelined with a concussion since May 26, has caught Keone Kela’s two sim games. The first came on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and the second Aug. 7. He had been doing some light catching before, but this is another step to getting him back on the field.

“Our guidance by the experts has been to continue to advance his catching progression,” said director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. “He’s now being exposed to having a potential foul-tip off the mask, so that’s a step in the right direction.”

Tomczyk described Cervelli’s situation as “fluid,” but said there is nothing from a medical or therapy perspective that he still needs to do to prepare to return. It’s now a matter of waiting to get the final clearances from the team doctors, the Commissioner’s office and the Player’s Association.

Other News

Jameson Taillon (right elbow flexor tendon strain) and the Pirates are in the process for setting up surgery with Dr. David Altchek for early next week.

Gregory Polanco (left shoulder inflammation) is working out with the rehab group in Bradenton. He is continuing to make progress in his range of motion and has resumed all baseball activities.

Clay Holmes (right triceps inflammation) is projected to have a second rehab outing with the Altoona Curve Thursday, Aug. 8.

Chad Kuhl and Edgar Santana (right UCL for both) continue their mound progression.

Tom Koehler (right shoulder) returned to action for the first time in 2019, allowing two hits and two runs in 0.2 innings pitched for the Pirates’ Gulf Coast rookie level affiliate.

There is no news to report with Nick Burdi (TOS surgery), Lonnie Chisenhall (left calf strain), or J.T. Brubaker (right forearm).