5:37pm: Zastryzny’s shutdown period lasts seven to ten days, not weeks, Mackey clarifies (Twitter link). Tomczyk had misspoken during his initial update. That obviously changes the southpaw’s recovery timetable significantly and reduces the chances he’ll find himself on the 60-day IL.
1:19pm: The Pirates placed first baseman Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left Achilles tendon earlier this week, but he’ll face a considerably lengthier absence than that 10-day minimum. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk tells reporters that Choi is expected to miss the next eight weeks of action (Twitter links via Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Tomczyk also provided discouraging updates on lefties Jarlin Garcia and Rob Zastryzny. The former is still incapable of gripping a ball, while the latter is likely out for seven to ten weeks himself after being diagnosed with ulnar neuritis.
Choi, 32 next month, was acquired from the Rays in a November trade that sent minor league righty Jack Hartman the other way. Pittsburgh knew at the time that he’d need to undergo a relatively minor elbow procedure but expected him to be ready for the 2023 season. That indeed proved to be the case, but Choi has gotten out to a slow start, going just 4-for-32 with an uncharacteristic 15 strikeouts and no walks. For a hitter who came into the season with a 13.4% walk rate and 25.6% strikeout rate, it’s an odd trend even in a small sample of plate appearances. To Choi’s credit, two of his hits did clear the fence for home runs.
An eight-week timeline will put Choi on the shelf into at least mid-June and make him a candidate for transfer to the 60-day injured list, should the Pirates need to open a 40-man roster spot at any point in the near future. Veteran Carlos Santana can handle the lion’s share of work at first base while Choi misses time, freeing the DH spot up for fan favorite Andrew McCutchen. Giving Cutch more time at DH could keep his legs fresher and give the Pirates the opportunity to trot out a superior defensive group in the outfield, where Bryan Reynolds, Jack Suwinski, Canaan Smith-Njigba and Connor Joe are among the current options. Joe also has experience at first base, if the Pirates want to give Santana some DH time.
Turning to the bullpen updates, things are similarly unfortunate. Garcia was signed as a free agent in the offseason, inking a one-year, $2.5MM contract with an option for a second season. The 30-year-old southpaw, however, exited an early spring start due to tightness in his left arm, and the Pirates announced not long after that he’d be shut down for “several weeks.” That shutdown period grew once he was diagnosed with a nerve issue near his biceps and prescribed an additional four to five weeks without throwing. Pittsburgh transferred him to the 60-day IL earlier this month.
While it was already know that Garcia would be in for a lengthy absence, this latest update is nonetheless discouraging, as it’s now been four and a half weeks since the team announced that five-week shutdown. Given that he’s still unable to grip a ball, it seems his no-throw period will extend further, though Tomczyk did not provide a specific timetable or divulge whether any additional treatment options are under consideration.
As for Zastryzny, he returned the Majors in 2022 after a three-year absence and tossed four innings between the Mets and Angels. Pittsburgh inked him to a minor league deal over the winter, and he parlayed a strong spring performance into the first Opening Day roster of his career at age 31.
Unfortunately, that impressive spring showing — 7 1/3 scoreless innings, 10 strikeouts, one walk — has given way to quick struggles early in the season. He appeared in seven games and yielded five runs on six hits and five walks (one intentional) in 5 2/3 innings before hitting the injured list. The diagnosis of ulnar neuritis is the same as the one that just led to Rays southpaw Jeffrey Springs’ Tommy John surgery, though the injury has a wide breadth of possible outcomes.
Ulnar neuritis, by its most simple definition, is inflammation of the ulnar nerve. Over the past several years we’ve seen everything from minimal IL stints (Jordan Romano), to ulnar nerve transposition surgery (Michael Fulmer) to Springs’ more recent Tommy John surgery. As with many injuries, each case is unique and comes with its own outlook. In Zastryzny’s case, there’s been no indication to this point that he’ll require surgery, but a prolonged absence is in store. Like Choi, he’ll be a 60-day IL candidate whenever the Pirates need a 40-man roster spot.
With both Garcia and Zastryzny out for extended periods of time, the only lefty in the Pittsburgh bullpen is Rule 5 pick Jose Hernandez. The Buccos don’t have any minor league lefties on the 40-man roster, but former big leaguers Caleb Smith, Daniel Zamora and Angel Perdomo are all in Triple-A. It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Pittsburgh keep an eye out for some depth via waivers; the Giants just designated Sam Long for assignment this morning, for instance, and he’d be one speculative option. If not him, other southpaws will surely be made available via DFA in the coming weeks.
DCartrow
Gee, man up, Choi!
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
DC, ignore the naysayers.
Choi misses 8 weeks? Advantage Pirates.
Choi to the world, a replacement has come!
DCartrow
True that Curls. 10 weeks for a tendon strain??!! I mean what is strained here is credulity. I could see if he pulled his posterior pyongyang but …..oy, Choi !!
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
6″1 and 260 – what could go wrong?
The only thing that should have been strained is his undershorts.
Ejemp2006
Never sign a Tampa cast off! They get everything out of tanks, and if tank can’t refill to full again, Tampa says good bye. And some sucker buys it off the used car lot. Slick salesman says, “old lady owned it. Never missed a tune up or oil change. Only drove to church and the grocery store.”
Oh no? Pirates! Why? You have fallen from that smart times period? A lot! Oh no!
I like Choi, but not for baseball. Just for Koreans! My brother, represent!
miggywrld
Gee, man. That is not good.
Wagner>Cobb
4-32…yikes. Hope he comes back strong.
Macbeth
That’s OK. Hopefully this opens up some ABs for someone that has a higher ceiling.
Rishi
I agree. He’s doing them a favor.
mlb fan
The “G” Man; the greatest hitter of all-time against Gerrit Cole.
vandilioff
Hopefully this is the rest he needs. He was clearly playing hurt last year.
As for h is athleticism this is big man who could do the splits just 2 years ago.
I wouldn’t be in a rush to just go out and get another big man whose just born to mash.
Pittsburgh has no shortage of 1st baseman.
Rest up Ji Man! It’s still early.
alwaysgo4two
I’m a Rays fan and I’m surprised at his quick drop of production. A dependable bat and a fantastic PHer. Somethings wrong.
Buccrazy
So basically another 40 man spot is open if they want to go get some dumpster dive reliever
YourDreamGM
Sounds like 2.
YourDreamGM
Someone misspoke so it’s back to 1. Although I could find an additional spot or 2 for the right dfa.
TheMan 3
Canaan Smith-Nijiba needs to be sent back to Indy. His hot spring hasn’t carried over to the regular season and is just keeping a roster spot that a more deserving player should have
In today’s game, mastermind Shelton has Suwinski playing against a lefty
SMH
jdgoat
Suwinski walked and hit a sac fly in his only two plate appearances vs that lefty starter so perhaps Shelton does in fact know what he’s doing.
cornwhisperer
Shelton knows to go with a hot bat, I’ll give him that. When a team is rolling, the manager is, too. But in the dog days, when strategy and moves are often the determining factor between wins and losses, Shelton has proven to have negligible managerial skills, at best
I’ll give him this much: he has a much more talented bunch this year whereas during his first couple seasons, managing was often like trying to get blood from a stone
Guess we’ll see
hebrewhammer
So…. Shelton can’t manage when the games count. Also Shelton had no real roster in the past. I hope you see the problem with these conflicting statements. Is Shelton a good manager? So far he’s had about 3 weeks of managing a team that has a roster made up entirely (or at least very close) of players who should be on an MLB roster. So it is impossible to answer the question. But early signs are favorable. Let’s try not to judge his managerial choices made in the previous years where no single manager in history would have improved the outcome by more (or less even) a few games.
YourDreamGM
Shelton is fine and is probably already extended or will be. Did a excellent job rebuilding and looks not awful when trying to win this year.
cornwhisperer
Yeah, agree.
And like I said, I can sympathize in trying to manage a team that is a combination of deadwood and green kids. Now, he has some semblance of a MLB roster. Instead of trying something—anything—to generate positives, hopefully it won’t be as difficult
Hammer, my concerns have been discussed ad infinitum where Shelton is concerned and in watching too many MLB games, he’s not alone in relying more on stats and analysis than playing by percentages
Whether it’s bunting guys up, playing hit and run occasionally, playing percentages for batters (lefty versus lefty) or relief pitcher selections, his choices are often mystifying
But some of us, like me, are dinosaurs and don’t have a lot of faith in analytics.
Agree with you about adopting a “let’s wait and see” approach
Well stated
YourDreamGM
The old miserable man only enjoys complaining. Worse than the tired old dude ever did (I kid). Hopefully more people can open their minds and see what’s going on and hear the corn wispers.
cornwhisperer
Always enjoy the conversation, Dream and of course, your insights. Really enjoying the ride so far, too
DCartrow
Corn! You’ve been promoted from Major to Kernal.
TheMan 3
spare me, Shelton doesn’t always play the hot bat
After having a 4 hit game last week, he benched Connor Joe in favor of Smith-Nijiba who proceeded to strike out 4 times in a game
Yes he has more weapons at his disposal this year but he continues to use Crowe in save situations while he misuses the closer who should only be used in save situations
Regarding Suwinski, a broken clock is right once a day
cornwhisperer
LOL, I kinda figured you’d chime in TheMan3
I was just talking about Shelton playing Suwinski in this series, nothing more
Agree about Crowe and as we previously discussed, myriad other concerns
Buuba ho tep
Cornholer is connected to the donkeyhole. The donkey hole connected to the corn hole
Buuba ho tep
Ladies and gentlemen we have a real chooch
Buuba ho tep
Like odball in Kelly’s hero’s says. Negative vibes. Negative vibes
utah cornelius
Negative waves.
YourDreamGM
@TheMan 3 Being that every single right bat is in the lineup 1 lefty has to play.
YourDreamGM
Every lose hurts but these 2 don’t move the needle much. Excellent work by front office to provide enough depth to replace Cruz Brubaker Garcia and now these 2.
cornwhisperer
Uh Dream, I’m ecstatic about how they’re playing right now but can we just hold off on the front office praise for awhile?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Castro
and truthfully, Oviedo should have been penciled in as a starter from the jump
but it’s early
Someone said adding Cutch and Santana would do wonders for the kids and I don’t think their point could have been better illustrated than these first 19 games.
As far as Choi and Z, yes, there’s depth. But I hope they stay away from the dumpster and look within
Mendoza Line 215
Corn-Maybe the trolls will start picking on the Rockies now and leave the Pirates alone for awhile.
cornwhisperer
Great to see you back! Hope all is well
Mendoza Line 215
I had trouble posting,then I was mistakenly banned,then I had a notice saying my email address was not recognized.
It is good to be back with my Bucco buddies.
cornwhisperer
Yep. Been there. Glad you’re back and issue is resolved
YourDreamGM
@Mendoza Line 215 Best to avoid those problematic ads.
Mendoza Line 215
Thank you young man,I always enjoy your posts and appreciate you staying positive through Bucco times that have tried men’s souls.
Perhaps our long city wide nightmare is over.
Only time will tell.
Mendoza Line 215
I tried but nothing seemed to work and as you are aware some of my posts are fairly long and it was frustrating losing them.
YourDreamGM
@Mendoza Better copy your post every paragraph or two.
Mendoza Line 215
Dream- I can usually remember the shorter posts but you are right for the more important longer ones.
YourDreamGM
Was that someone me? Everyone should go back and read my analysis on the Cutch and Santana signings. It really is a master class on my greatness.
I praised the front office before pitchers and catchers reported. They addressed every need and did so with value. They have 2 roster spots open and should and will dumpster dive for 2 players. Hopefully both pitchers but anyone will do because they can dfa them and dumpster dive again. Lots of solid players in the dumpster.
cornwhisperer
Yep, you were definitely among that chorus.
Mendoza Line 215
Dream-I did not agree with Santana signing because they had Choi but he helps to bring. a veteran presence.
McCutcheon signing was a no brainer for everyone.I think that he waited and could not get a substantial deal so he came back home,
Let’s not get too elated just yet,but this team at least looks like a team.They really do not have a lot of pitching depth but at least they have some players who have stepped up otherwise.One thing that I will say about Shelton is he does seem to have some patience with his players and that has been a positive.
YourDreamGM
Need a 1b and a dh. Add in the Shelton off day and Sunday lineup and bench bat they should have kept Diaz as well lol. Lots of opportunities.
Vast majority of commenters on here thought Santana was done. Not as many but enough thought the same about Cutch. The 29 other mlb teams felt that way or didn’t have playing time. Pirate fans love to trash their management but most teams have worse.
Mendoza Line 215
Diaz is hindsight but he is only hitting now for Colorado.His 2019 year with the Pirates was terrible defensively,and that is the biggest reason why they let him go.
I was surprised that they paid Santana and he has been hurt some of the time over the last four years.He seems to be able to play a good first base which they have not had for many many years.
Just having Cutch on the team is a big plus and I think that all agreed with that.
YourDreamGM
Diaz had hot starts before only to fizzle out. If he is somehow a star going forward oh well. Can’t wait on guys forever.
Mendoza Line 215
He is 32 now.GM’s have to make tough decisions all of the time.He had been the chosen one to ultimately replace Cervelli but never quite got to the top of the hill.
My predicted win total was 69.They won 51 equivalent in 2020,61 in 21,and I was hoping for 71 last year.The progression would be 81 this year.I do not think that they have the depth for that this year,but I think that 76 could be doable and would show 14 more than last year which would be a significant increase.
panj341
Welcome back Mendoza.
If the starting pitching holds up they could surprise everyone. No one expected this many quality starts. Double plays seem to save Hill every outing, don’t know how long before some of those balls find a hole.
Mendoza Line 215
Thank you panj.I am sorry I missed your post but better late than never.
Rick Wilkins
The Pirates are a half way entertaining team out of the gate. File that under things I thought I would never say.
YourDreamGM
Super stars are nice but a lineup of discipline patient hitters that have speed, pop, or both is the next best thing. Pitching will keep them in vast majority of games. I expect the good times to keep rolling.
Mendoza Line 215
Dream- I agree with you but ultimately in order the win a WS you need two or three superstars to produce when the chips are down.
Mendoza Line 215
They need to send Crowe to AAA and bring up another lefty reliever.Emanuel may be the real thing if he is completely recovered from the arm injury.
YourDreamGM
Not a fan of having a lefty just to have a lefty. Hernandez is plenty.
Mendoza Line 215
But Crowe should NEVER be used in a tenuous situation.Shelton had three other pitchers that he could have used in the final Cardinals game,They may not have been great choices,or even good ones,but Crowe has proven to be a liability time after time after time after time after time in the Ninth.It also would have worked to help to find out what the young pitchers were made of.
Crowe had a great first two months last year but has basically stunk since then.
This is still a year to find out what they have with the young players.
YourDreamGM
I would have went Hernandez then Ramirez. Anyone else risk burning out a arm. Lots to like with but I would have trusted someone else. Would have pinch hit with a right bat the other night as well. Shelton isn’t anything special but most managers aren’t. Crowe should stick to what they do, eat roadkill garbage innings.
Mendoza Line 215
Dream-I May have used Stephenson but those were his only three real choices.
It may not have been fair to throw Ramirez immediately into the fire.
It would have been very interesting to see how Hernandez would have handled it.
I agree with Corn that he may be a real keeper.Even with the Dodgers depth I am surprised that he was left off their roster.
Crowe May even benefit from a AAA option.
YourDreamGM
I would take Stephenson over Crowe if he was fully available and not just emergency available although having to use Crowe qualifies as an emergency for me.
Mendoza Line 215
It’s too bad because Crowe was lights out early last year..
I think that if they send him down to AAA he has a chance to come back and be a decent seventh inning pitcher.
cornwhisperer
That kid is electrifying. Don’t know where he came from but what a find and addition
YourDreamGM
Dodgers didn’t protect him and Pirates selected him in the Rule 5 draft. Relievers are always needed and you can keep a guy who isn’t ready to use in blow outs. You can’t keep everyone when you have a loaded farm but a reliever with his stuff was easy pickings.
PiratesFan1981
Pirates are off to a better than expected, solid start. But injuries are coming in triplets. The Bucs have depth, but is it enough to keep them near the top of the division for 3-4 months when others return? I love this start and all, just wondering if the kids in AAA are seriously ready and hungry enough to turn things up a notch upon arrival to the ‘Burgh
YourDreamGM
If the season depends on the kids they are in trouble. Too much to ask. Interesting options for sure though. Burrows was the best depth opinion. Huge loss. Hopefully Ortiz doesn’t need called up for long. He can get it done but needs more work. Bido can be something. Priester really needs most the year in Indy. Let Endy master catching as long as possible. Swaggerty can stay there until he hits his way up. MLB roster is in a good place with all the position flexible players.
PiratesFan1981
You still need bodies for the injuries that are to come. Personally, I like to see Nick Gonzales and Travis Swaggerty come up over the next few weeks. Give those kids a chance and taste of the majors again and see if they can take the wheel and run with it. Priester is close but not ready yet for the majors. One more year to polish his craft up, is what the Pirates should be doing. Hopefully he stays healthy and makes a big splash in AAA this year. I like Endy Rod just as much as everyone else. His defensive side is definitely better this Henry Davis, just Davis is a better bat. His bat is crushing double A right now. I watched that game last night on MLB.TV. Kid can definitely hit. His defensive side is less than desired. Might be average defensively (his ceiling) at the major league level. His bat is what looks to be a DH worthy bat. Like ex Red Sox catcher turned DH, Jason Vertek capabilities.
For the most part, we see and agree on certain things. Pirates need to stay healthy and limiting McCutchen to DH role, will help keeping him healthy and in the lineup. Main thing is, keeping everyone healthy and not running them to the ground before the season is over. There is like 150 games left to the season. Some were around that number.
YourDreamGM
Swaggerty isn’t doing anything to demand or even consider giving a call up. Reynolds Cutch Suwinski Joe Bae need to play every day. So does Swaggerty and he can in AAA. Gonzalez needs to play every day and can in AAA. Injuries and production will happen and when it does hopefully they will be ready. Worst case (best case) they have so many good bats they don’t need a Choi type next year. If they don’t have a 700 ops option for 2b or outfield I am all for calling those 2 up. Right now they do.
joew
The hope is when Priester, Rodriguez, Gonzales, Peguero, Ortiz, etc get called up most will slide right in.
I’m not sure Castro will cut it longer term, but he is doing really well so far.
assuming most of these guys do well it will be interesting to see how it works out with playing time.
Mendoza Line 215
Joe- These guys need to prove themselves in AAA before they should be brought up.Dream GM is correct.
If the players already up play well there will not be any room for anybody anyway unless one of them forces the issue.
The inevitable injuries could cause a need but none of these guys you mentioned have proven anything in AAA,and there is a big jump from there to the ML’s.
joew
@mendoza
Short Sample:
Endy has a .904 ops in over 20 games.
Nick has a .832 OPS over 18 games
Luis has a .951 whip over 4 games.
Can’t predict the future but they’re well on their way to ‘proving themselves’
No one suggested they’d be here next week but baring major drop offs player like these have a better than fair chance to get a call by the break sooner if people at the MLB level drop off or injury.
Mendoza Line 215
Endy and Gonzalez started off slowly but evidently are mashing it lately.That in itself would constitute a promotion but what happens if neither are needed?It would be a good problem to have.
They have been mashing for ten days I think so let’s see if it can last two months.Gonzalez has had injuries that led to disappointing seasons.He seems like he has talent but is he injury prone?
The Pirates do need a catcher medium term and Endy needs to work on that even if his hitting in AAA comes around like it did in the lower levels.
Ortiz is the first callup for a starting pitcher,especially because they do not have anyone else.He has been averaging only four innings so I would like to see him start pitching into the seventh inning in AAA.
I agree that it would nice to get all three playing in the ML’s this year.All seem to be good enough to deserve it barring injury.It is nice to be excited about them,but they all have to earn the promotion.
By the way,I see Swaggerty as a fourth or fifth outfielder,and one who can play a good centerfield.Those players do not have to be mashers which he will never become anyway,
joew
Yeah i could see Swag as a 4th OF somewhere. I doubt it will be Pittsburgh.
Endy’s catching is acceptable average problably. Reportedly his arm is good and his pops are good. but i’m not sure about his accuracy. I have not seen anything about that.
Yeah agree Ortiz will probably be here first out of the bunch. I could see the pirates making a flurry of trades with their ‘surplus’ in a push for 2024+ or to fill holes in 2023 if they are a surprise play off contender at the break
cornwhisperer
I’m not sure any of these guys will do it over the long haul, Joe. It’s been a pleasant surprise but really, the only guys I would not be surprised to be consistent over the long haul are Reynolds, Keller and Oviedo
I mean, can you really see Cutch hitting 30 homers or Santana averaging above .280? Joe and Suwinski in for 20-25 homers?
I don’t mean to throw cold water on their start but slumps, cold streaks and injuries happen. And reality sets in
In the end, I tend to agree with Mendoza and see them in the 72-75 win range. Hope they do much better
Meanwhile, I rely on others to tell me how prospects are doing on the farm
Endy and Davis? Seem to have the shortest route to the majors
Priester? Sure, after the Hill and VV era
But who do Swaggerty, Rodriguez and Peguero replace when it’s said they’re struggling in the minors?
joew
@corn
Can’t predict the future, but i can see Joe and Mathias doing well. Suwinski maybe. Castro possibly, i’m not to high on him. Probably not stars but at or near league average.
Cutch will never be MVP level again but i do think he can continue providing around a league average performance like he has the past couple years. (+/-) Maybe even well enough for him to decide to stay on another year if there is a spot for him.
Swaggerty is probably done. This is his make or break year and it appears so far that it could be broken.
Endy can play multiple positions, so pick one probably best at catcher. he really isn’t struggling at AAA just not putting up the monster numbers he was. Indications suggest that he has started to turn that corner though.
Peguero may be in AAA in the next month or two depending on of a spot opens up. I haven’t heard much but what little i did hear suggests he is doing the right things which is just as important if not more than the stats for prospects.
Possible surprise: Mason Martin. His power stroke maybe on the way back but he would need to pass up Nunez to make a mark. Nunez has a similar profile
Optimistically ..500 isn’t as unreasonable as people thought in the off season. Unless there are more major injuries i think 75ish is where they will be too.
YourDreamGM
Majority of prospects won’t amount to much. Some of the ones mentioned above aren’t even the most promising. I haven’t watched much this year but going to try to soon. Peguero last year wasn’t close to being mlb or even AAA ready. That’s why he is in AA. He has the athletic ability and arm to stick at SS but makes so many mistakes. Has nice bat speed and power but doesn’t get results. Endy and Davis ceiling as catchers looks ok enough. They need lots of work. Good thing is they are willing to work and have the arm strength and hopefully robot umps are coming. Their bats will be ready before defense. Wouldn’t worry about calling them up unless for a playoff race. Let them improve. Gonzales really really struggled with high heat. Could be a fatal flaw. We will see. You have to watch the games to evaluate. Stats are nice but keep in mind so many pitchers only have 2 pitches and throw 94 95. You have to watch vs elite pitching. AA provides many of these matchups. Anyone great isn’t in AAA long. Its a swamp of mlb emergency depth and failed prospects.
joew
I do usually watch some milb so i’m not totally clueless… past couple years i’ve been slacking, havn’t even gotten to watch highlights 🙁
Just saw Endy is on the DL now. hopefully a short stint. Endy’s defense at catcher is fine. Not gold glove but fine.
joew
Garcia, Best signing of the off season out for a long time… figures.