Pirates lefty Sam Howard takes ‘first good step,’ throws live batting practice at PNC Park
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Sam Howard threw a live batting practice session at PNC Park on Wednesday afternoon, what Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton called the “first good step” for the lefty reliever’s return.
Howard (2-2, 5.76 ERA) has been out since July 13 with a right oblique strain, leaving the Pirates down two left-handers in their bullpen after Austin Davis was traded to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline. Howard leads all Pirates pitchers with a 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the early response from Howard is he “felt good, looks good.” Pirates manager Derek Shelton was equally optimistic.
“He looked good. He looked healthy, which was important,” Shelton said. “There was some shape to his breaking ball. I don’t know what the velocity on his fastball was, but looked like he commanded it, was pretty efficient in terms of throwing strikes. So, overall, first good step.”
Left fielder Ben Gamel also “is making very nice strides” in his recovery from a right hamstring strain, Tomczyk said, and did some running with the strength and conditioning staff.
“He’s been hitting with no issues and throwing with no issues,” Tomczyk said, “so we’re optimistic that he will be at least a consideration to have conversations with the medical staff to come off (the IL) sometime next week.”
Gamel is batting .275/.351/.436 with 13 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 18 RBIs in 70 games (52 starts) since being claimed off waivers from Cleveland in May. He is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list Aug. 15.
“We don’t have a target in mind that he is coming back Day 11 or will be available be back Day 11,” Tomczyk said. “We want this to be sustainable, as well. So we have both short- and long-term goals in mind, specifically for everybody and in this case for Ben.”
In other Pirates injury updates:
• Outfielder Ka’ai Tom homered in the first start in his minor league rehab assignment with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday night and reported no issues.
• Tomczyk said right-hander Miguel Yajure (forearm) recovered well from pitching his first rehabilitation game at Bradenton and will pitch a second one “in the next couple of days.” Tomczyk said the Pirates “We envision him being in Double-A or Triple-A in the next seven to 10 days” and is “on track” to return to the majors before the end of the season.
“We’re very encouraged to see Miguel out there to put himself in a position to maybe receive that call,” Tomczyk said.
• Double-A Altoona shortstop Oneil Cruz (forearm), ranked the Pirates’ top prospect by Baseball America, has resumed hitting in the batting cage and has made nice strides.
“The goal is for Oneil to progress to batting practice outside with coach pitch by the end of this week,” Tomczyk said.
Altoona right-hander Roansy Contreras (forearm) has thrown off the slope this week and is beginning a side session.
“Both were encouraged by their directions,” Tomczyk said.