The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi has been shut down in his rehab due to a left quadriceps muscle strain. He was returning from Tommy John surgery, so there’s no issue with that part of his rehab, but this will keep him out of action for an unknown amount of time. Tommy John surgery now comes with 60-day rehab assignments, unlike the normal 30 days for any other type of injuries to pitchers.
This injury probably doesn’t affect his timetable to the majors. Burdi is a Rule 5 player, which means he needs to spend 90 days in the majors total or be offered back to the team he was selected from back in December. Those 90 days can carry over into 2019, but the Pirates are likely to use up the first 30 days starting on September 1st this year when rosters expand. Whether he’s available to pitch or not shouldn’t affect those plans.
AJ Schugel returned from his shoulder injury that cost him most of this season. He pitched in Bradenton tonight and got hit around, giving up three runs on five hits, while recording two outs. It was his first appearance since May 3rd. He threw 14 of 20 pitches for strikes.
