MILWAUKEE — Right-handed starting pitcher Chad Kuhl will be re-examined by Dr. David Altchek next week after experiencing a setback with his right elbow injury Tuesday in St. Louis, the Pirates announced before first pitch Friday at Miller Park.
Kuhl, 26, was unable to throw his scheduled bullpen Tuesday because he experienced tightness in his elbow and forearm, Todd Tomczyk, the team's director of sports medicine, told reporters. Kuhl's been on the disabled list since June 29 after suffering the injury during his final start June 27 against the Mets at Citi Field in New York.
Kuhl was shut down from throwing for six weeks after being examined by Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in July and progressed to throwing a 30-pitch fastball-only bullpen last week; however, the setback occurred when he was warming up with Elias Diaz on Tuesday.
Altchek operated on Gregory Polanco's shoulder Wednesday in New York and has performed Tommy John surgery on a number of major leaguers. The outpatient surgery can take as little as 30 minutes to complete, though the Pirates have not indicated whether Kuhl will undergo any type of procedure after his examination.
Kuhl, a former ninth-round draft pick, made his big league debut in June 2016 and spent all of last season in the Pirates' rotation, posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 31 starts and 157 1/3 innings. He again made the opening day roster this spring, and the injury happened in the fourth inning of his 16th start of the season.
Kuhl was examined by head athletic trainer Bryan Housand after moving his right arm awkwardly, but he remained in the game and was removed after reporting tightness upon returning to the dugout following the inning. He had a 1.44 WHIP in 85 innings this season, though he was arguably the Pirates' most consistent starter for five weeks, posting a 2.89 ERA in eight starts from May 6 through June 15.
Kuhl resumed throwing nearly one month ago and threw a bullpen at PNC Park two weeks ago. He was expected to progress to throwing breaking pitches during catch before potentially throwing a bullpen using all of his pitches. The Pirates hoped to have him pitch in a game environment before the offseason, either in the majors or fall instructional league in Bradenton, Fla.
Kuhl declined to speak to reporters before first pitch at Miller Park on Friday afternoon.