DENVER -- When Ji-Man Choi talked with traveling media in St. Louis this weekend, he wanted to see how his left ankle/Achilles felt before acknowledging if it was something that could sideline him for a couple days.
As it turns out, he is going to be out a couple months.
Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told traveling media Wednesday that Choi will be in a boot for several weeks due to his left Achilles tendon strain, and that he should return to full baseball activities in eight weeks.
Tomczyk said that Choi had been dealing with some discomfort in that area since spring training. He left the team this road trip to examined by the team's specialists in Pittsburgh.
"He came in healthy," Tomczyk said. "That's something that was more of a nagging... I don't want to say injury, but ailment in spring training that he and the medical and performance staff worked through."
Choi, one of the Pirates' big offseason additions, was hitting just .125 with a .344 OPS through his first nine games, but he had started to contribute more offensively shortly before the injury.
The Pirates do have considerably more depth at first base this season than they had in recent years, including Carlos Santana and Connor Joe, both of whom are off to good starts this year. But given that Santana is 37 and Joe is also occasionally needed to play the outfield, it does mean there is less security at the position.
Choi, 31, is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. If his injury will take two months to return, it seems safe to assume a trip to the 60-day injured list could be considered in order to open up a roster spot.
MORE INJURY NEWS
• Oneil Cruz (ankle) is one week removed from his surgery and still in very good spirits. He'll remaining in a post-op dressing for about another week, where he will then get the staples out and begin some formal physical therapy. His projected return is still four months.
• JT Brubaker (elbow) is also one-week post-op, where he is back in Pittsburgh and in good spirits. He's begun his formal physical therapy. He has a 14-16 month recovery window.
Max Kranick is continuing his throwing program in his rehab back from Tommy John surgery. He's currently throwing four times a week from 120 feet without issue.
No news on Mike Burrows, who won't get a second opinion on his elbow/forearm until next week.
• Chase De Jong (lumbar spine) will throw a live batting practice this weekend.
• Jarlín García (nerve injury inn elbow) had new testing last week that did show progress, but he's still unable to grip a baseball. As a result, there is still no timetable for a return.
• Rob Zastryzny (elbow) also left the team this road trip to be examined by team doctors. He has been diagnosed with left ulnar neuritis and is going to be shut down from throwing for about 7-10 days, when he will be built back up.
Correction: There was a miscommunication regarding Zastryzny, who is shut down 7-10 days rather than 7-10 weeks.
