PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Lefty Erik Bedard, who was removed from the Pirates 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night at PNC Park in the top of the second inning with back spasms, is feeling better today.
Although his status is still day-to-day, Pirates Manger Clint Hurdle said prior to the game this afternoon that there has been some improvement.
“I know he felt better than he did last night when he came in today,” Hurdle said. “I haven’t talked to the trainers, so I will rely upon the trainers expertise. Sometimes they get really quick reads on them, sometimes they don’t. There’s significant improvement today. As long as there is improvement, we’ve got time to give it. We have to make a decision sooner than later. In the next 48 hours as far as his next start goes. We’ll go from there.”
The injury occurred to Bedard after throwing a 1-2 pitch to former Bucco Adam LaRoche. Bedard twisted his torso as the Pirates trainers and Hurdle came to the mound. He was removed several minutes later. Bedard suffered back spasms in 2008 but has not had any issue since Wednesday night.
“You just do nothing for a couple days and see how fast it comes back,” Bedard said after the game. “Usually hurts for a couple days, then goes away and you’re fine.”
Right-hander Brad Lincoln, who replaced Bedard and when one to pitch three innings without allowing an earned run, is being under consideration if they need to skip Bedard’s next start. Lincoln has been charged with just one earned run over 12.1 innings (0.67 ERA) from the bullpen.
“He very well could be one of the guys at the top of the list that we’ve discussed,” Hurdle said.
