Pedro Alvarez will be starting his rehab work today with the GCL Pirates, who play at 12:00 PM. The Bradenton Marauders Facebook page also mentions that he could be moved up to high-A by tomorrow.
The beginning of his rehab work puts a timetable on Alvarez’s return. Position players can spend up to 20 days on rehab assignment, which means that Alvarez will return no later than July 17th. Depending on how he’s progressing, the Pirates could opt to bring him back earlier, although that would only happen if he’s fully healed.
The Pirates catch a bit of a break, as they only play 15 games between now and the 17th, thanks to the All-Star Game. They also have a fairly easy schedule between now and then, with five games against Houston, three games against the Cubs, and seven games combined against Toronto and Washington, who are both hovering around .500. If Alvarez doesn’t experience any set backs, he will return in time for the Pirates to see a stretch that features the Reds, Cardinals, Braves, and Phillies to wrap up the month.
