Pirates lose starting pitchers Chase De Jong to surgery, Trevor Cahill to fractured foot

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost two starting pitchers to season-ending injuries but could soon add another to their rotation.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said right-hander Chase De Jong (1-4, 5.77 ERA in nine starts) underwent surgery Tuesday on his left knee to repair damaged cartilage that coats the medial femoral condyle. After being examined by team doctors, De Jong saw a specialist, Dr. Steve Singleton, who performed the surgery.

“We anticipate Chase to have a full recovery to full baseball activities in five months,” Tomczyk said. “Very optimistic that he’ll be no restrictions for spring training 2022.”

Right-hander Trevor Cahill fractured his right foot, Tomczyk said, after slipping and falling down the steps after Friday’s game at San Francisco. Cahill (1-5, 6.57 ERA in eight starts) is scheduled to see foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Jim Sferra, on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, he had a setback in his rehab,” Tomczyk said. “We do not envision Trevor picking up a baseball any time soon.”

The good news for the Pirates, Tomczyk said, is that left-hander Steven Brault “continues to make nice strides in his rehab appearances” with Triple-A Indianapolis. Brault pitched four perfect innings in a 2-1 win over Toledo last Friday, and is scheduled to start Thursday at St. Paul.

“He came out of his outing, recovered very well, threw a side (Tuesday), and he’s preparing for another rehab start in the coming days at Indianapolis,” Tomczyk said. “Very encouraged by Steven’s progress. Hope that we have discussions about him rejoining the club in the near future. That’s very encouraging.”

The Pirates also expect to send first baseman Colin Moran (fractured wrist) and infielder Erik Gonzalez (right oblique) on rehab assignments soon, Tomczyk said.

Both Gonzalez and Moran are hitting off the velocity machine. Tomczyk said Moran is “progressing well, experiencing no symptoms or any signs of soreness in the wrist or the hand.”

Tomczyk addressed injuries involving other Pirates players and prospects:

• Lefty reliever Sam Howard (oblique) is throwing to 90 feet, with a goal to “ramp up the volume and intensity with the hopes of getting him out to about 120 feet by week’s end.”

• Outfielder Ka’ai Tom (back) had a mild setback last week but has resumed baseball activities, playing catch out to 90 feet and is expected to resume hitting this weekend.

• In Double-A Altoona, right-hander Roansy Contreras (forearm) has resumed playing catch, out to 75-90 feet and is showing no symptoms. Tomczyk called it “very encouraging news” that shortstop Oneil Cruz (forearm) also is asymptomatic. Cruz will be examined by the Curve medical staff, then have discussions about him returning to playing catch.

• In Triple-A Indianapolis, right-hander Miguel Yajure (forearm) threw a live batting practice last week and will throw another this week “with the goal of beginning some type of inning-game progression early next week.”

• In High-A Greensboro, right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (shoulder) has made progress that has the Pirates “very encouraged.” Mlodzinski is expected to return to pitching in games soon.