Chad Kuhl, who has been on the injured list since April 22 with right shoulder discomfort, will start a rehab assignment Wednesday when he pitches for the Triple A Indianapolis Indians against the St. Paul (Minn.) Saints.
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Kuhl is expected to throw about 45 pitches.
Kuhl made four starts this season with an 0-1 record and 6.32 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. He missed the 2019 season after Tommy John surgery.
Shelton said Ke’Bryan Hayes (wrist) is close to starting a rehab assignment.
Another day of rest
Catcher Jacob Stallings was not in the starting lineup Tuesday in St. Louis after suffering a left quad contusion Sunday when he was hit with a foul ball off the bat of the San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey.
“He feels better,” Shelton said. “Having the off day (Monday) definitely helped him with moving around. He can catch (Tuesday), if necessary, but just felt it was better to give him a little bit of a blow so he can continue to work through the soreness. He took a pretty good shot.”
The more you can do
Shelton said infielder Ildemaro Vargas’ versatility was a big part of the season the Pirates claimed him off waivers Monday from the Chicago Cubs.
“He can play second, short, third, can bump into both right and left,” Shelton said. “The fact that he’s a switch hitter helps us a ton. I think with with where we’re at right now with our injuries (Phillip Evans, Colin Moran and Hayes are on the injured list), the more versatility we can have is extremely important. When a guy like him goes out on the waiver wire, it’s something that really fits our club right now.”
Poppen sent to Tampa
The Pirates traded right-handed pitcher Sean Poppen to the Tampa Bay Rays, five days after the team designated him for assignment. In return, the Pirates received cash considerations from the Rays.
Poppen pitched in three games for the Pirates this season, recording a 7.71 ERA while allowing 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
The Pirates also transferred left-handed pitcher Austin Davis’ rehab assignment from Low-A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis. Davis went on the 60-day injured list Feb. 24 with left elbow strain. He is eligible to be activated May 31.
