The Pittsburgh Pirates received “very encouraging news” regarding the left wrist of rookie third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who has been on the injured list since April 4 and reaggravated the injury last Wednesday.
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hayes returned to Pittsburgh and was re-examined by specialists last Friday, who found “very positive news” that no further damage had been done.
“There were no new findings,” Tomczyk said, “so very, very encouraging news on Ke’Bryan.”
Tomczyk said Hayes is stretching with his teammates at PNC Park as the Pirates assess whether he can play catch and field ground balls, which haven’t been a problem.
Tomczyk said Hayes hyperextended his hand and wrist on an awkward swing against the Cubs, and again while taking swings against a velocity machine in a batting cage at Detroit’s Comerica Park.
“It wasn’t a particular pitch that he got jammed on; it was a pitch in a location that he had to angle the bat in such a way that he hyperextended the hand and wrist,” Tomczyk said. “So, an awkward swing, not a swing that he commonly takes. It’s rare but it’s one that I think we all can attest to that these guys have to be adjusted and adapted to all kinds of different angles and all kinds of different swings. That specific angle right now, it didn’t feel good. We’re going to work back to that point and make sure that he’s very strong and confident with his entire game.”
Tomczyk said Hayes will be following a similar process, though not the same exact plan, in hopes of returning from the IL and joining the active roster sometime soon. After losing six consecutive games since Hayes was injured, the Pirates (12-11) have won 11 of 16 games.
“I would say the next coming days; I wouldn’t say weeks,” Tomczyk said. “But, in the same breath, we’re going to take this day to day. We’re going to see how he responds to the workload that the medical and performance team throw at him. We want Ke’Bryan Hayes back out there to the confident young man that started the season. …
“Eventually, when we get the confidence back in Ke’Bryan, he will be a Pittsburgh Pirate and contributing to the winning team.”
Tomczyk added that right-handed reliever Michael Feliz (cracked fingernail) is throwing a live batting practice on Wednesday and “early indication is that everything went well” in his recovery.
Right-handed starter Chad Kuhl (right shoulder discomfort) has resumed playing catch and “is making progress, as well.” Tomczyk said Kuhl will progress out to throwing from 120 feet in the coming days.
