Miguel Yajure, who made two starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this season, has stopped throwing for Triple-A Indianapolis while dealing with right elbow discomfort.
Yajure was placed on the seven-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday.
“It’s an injury that is hindering him at this point in time where we all felt it was best for him not to throw,” Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Thursday.
While the Pirates’ medical personnel works to determine the nature of Yajure’s injury, Tomczyk said “there’s a little cause for concern.”
“Anytime an athlete is unable to pick up a ball and throw, that signals to us as a medical department and organization that we need to dig a little bit deeper and figure out exactly what’s going on. We’re still in that process of learning, seeing how his body is responding to the treatment.
“They’re allowing the discomfort to resolve, and they’ll put him through some advance rehab exercises before they engage in throwing again. We don’t have a rough projection of when that may happen.”
Yajure, 23, recorded an 0.857 WHIP in two starts for the Pirates while allowing five hits (two home runs) in 9 1/3 innings. In three starts for Indianapolis, he is 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
Tomczyk addressed injury situations for several players, both with the Pirates and in the minors.
• Outfielder Travis Swaggerty, the Pirates’ No. 1 draft choice in 2018, had surgery to address his right shoulder dislocation and will be out 5-to-5½ months, Tomczyk said.
“We project and anticipate a full recovery,” he said “You get the surgery done now, he will have pretty close to a normal offseason to allow him to compete in spring training with no reservations.”
Swaggerty was slashing .220/.333/.439, with three homers and seven RBIs in 12 games with Indianapolis.
• Tomczyk said Steven Brault (left lat strain) has ramped up his throwing distance to 120 feet. “He continues to make some nice strides in Bradenton, continues to work, build up distances and intensities. No issues,” Tomczyk said. “Overall, I’m encouraged by Steven’s progress.”
• Starting pitcher Trevor Cahill came out of a live batting practice session this week in Kansas City “pretty well,” Tomczyk said. “He’s actually playing catch right now (at PNC Park).”
Manger Derek Shelton, Cahill, pitching coach Oscar Marin and general manager Ben Cherington are discussing the next steps. “He is pain-free at this point,” Tomczyk said.
• Left-hander Austin Davis (forearm) is pitching out of the bullpen in Indianapolis. “He’s responded quite well to the workload,” Tomczyk said.
• While returning from Tommy John surgery, right-hander Jose Soriano experienced recurrent right elbow discomfort at his last start May 25.
“He’s going to be examined by our team physicians in Pittsburgh and subsequently additional resources and experts throughout the country,” Tomczyk said.
• Phillip Evans and Colin Moran are scheduled to appear in their second rehab game Thursday in Indianapolis. “So far, no issues, no complaints,” Tomczyk said.
• Ka’ai Tom, who was hit on the wrist by a pitch Tuesday in Kansas City, was going through hitting and on-field activities to determine his availability for Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
