PITTSBURGH – Prior to today’s Pirates game, Head Athletic Trainer Todd Tomczyk met with the media, discussing the latest injury updates. Fortunately, there were no new names on the list, and everyone currently on the MLB disabled list is progressing well.
Jung-ho Kang played five innings on defense today, while getting four plate appearances in an extended Spring Training game. He’s still only running to first base, and not doing normal base running beyond that. There’s no exact date on his next progression, although he’s still projected to return to the Pirates in mid-to-late April.
Kang is expected to go through a normal rehab assignment before he returns, going to some minor league affiliates before returning to Pittsburgh.
“We’re going to try to run the same script as any other position player that’s rehabbed, and that’s to get him into a rehab assignment,” Tomczyk said.
After he returns to the majors, the Pirates could limit his playing time initially, as he gets back in the mix. Fortunately, they have David Freese who can step in, so that Kang can ease back to playing every day.
**Elias Diaz is in the advanced stages of his strength portion of his rehab, although he’s not throwing yet.
**Jared Hughes threw off the mound today for the first time. Tomczyk said the early indications are that he’s responding well to the throwing.
**There’s no real update on Austin Meadows from last week, as he’s basically going through a Spring Training progression at this point.
