Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow will miss the start of the 2014 season due to a tight lower back. Glasnow said he felt his lower back tighten up two weeks ago when running. He’s been throwing some bullpens, including one bullpen yesterday. Prior to the injury he threw two innings in an intrasquad game. However, the minor injury has prevented him from pitching in a game and getting built up for the regular season.
Glasnow is scheduled to throw a sim game on Monday, which will probably be two innings. From there, he will build up his innings count. That will include starts in extended Spring Training. The usual progression to build a pitcher up involves that pitcher going on the following schedule, throwing every five days:
Start 1: Two Innings (Sim Game)
Start 2: Three Innings
Start 3: Four Innings
Start 4: Five Innings
Start 5: Five Innings
I’m assuming that’s going to be the progression for Glasnow, starting on Monday with the sim game. If all goes well with Glasnow’s rehab and build up, then he should only miss the first two weeks of the minor league season. After that, he is expected to go to High-A Bradenton to pitch out of the rotation.