Martin Perez is currently "pain free with all rehab activities" and is coming along well in his recovery from a left groin strain, according to Todd Tomczyk.
Tomczyk told reporters Friday that Perez, who is currently on the 15-day injured list, is playing catch on flat ground with no restrictions or limitations and the team anticipates him throwing off a slope as early as this weekend.
Perez, who is 1-3 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP in 11 starts this season, landed on the injured list shortly after being pulled from a start against the Braves at PNC Park on May 26. While it hasn't yet been determined, Tomczyk said it is possible Perez ends up needing a rehab assignment before returning to major-league action.
"A lot of it is dependent upon what Martin, Derek (Shelton), Oscar (Marin), the pitching group and Ben (Cherington) come up with, but I would imagine some type of competition," Tomczyk said. "I don't want to commit to a rehab assignment at this stage, but most importantly they're doing really good."
Perez was replaced in the starting rotation by Quinn Priester, who made a start in Toronto last weekend before landing on the injured list Thursday with a right lat muscle strain. Tomczyk said Priester is asymptomatic at rest and is responding well to treatments and interventions. The plan is to take a bit more time before he begins throwing. He will be reassessed in five-to-seven days before building up appropriately.
With Priester's injury, the Pirates now have three starting pitchers on the injured list, including Marco Gonzales who is on the 60-day IL with a left forearm muscle strain. Both Gonzales and Ryan Borucki, who is on the 60-day IL with left triceps inflammation, continue to make strides in their throwing programs and are out to about 110 to 115 feet. Tomczyk said they are both anticipated to throw off a slope sometime next week with the expectation of pitching again for the Pirates this season.
Some other notable injury updates from Tomczyk:
• Johan Oviedo (60-day/ Tommy John): Throwing has progressed to 75 feet. No issues.
• Dauri Moreta (60-day/ Tommy John): He's 11 weeks post-op and is continuing to work on range of motion. He will transition into strengthening the elbow in the coming weeks.
• Michael Burrows (60 day/ Tommy John): Progressed into the live BP phase of his throwing program. Initial response -- arm and body -- is good. He will be in that step of the process for the next several weeks. The next step is simulated games.
• Joey Bart (10-day/ Left thumb): Injury was diagnosed as a grade-one UCL ligament sprain. He was recommended no gripping activities for the next two weeks, which he is currently halfway through. They will reassess next week.
• Alika Williams (10-day/ Right wrist sprain): Had a cortisone injection a few days ago and responded well. They envision him resuming light baseball activities later this week.
• Ji Hwan Bae (10-day/ Right wrist sprain): Recommendation was no gripping for 10-14 days. They will reassess after that time.
• Endy Rodriguez (60-day/ Tommy John): Continues to dominate rehab. Hitting coaches batting practice from the left side of the plate. Began a throwing program and progressed out to 75 feet.
• Bubba Chandler (Active/Forearm): Broke his arm in high school and the injury occasionally causes his muscles to tighten on the outside, not the inside, of the elbow. Took three days off from throwing and resumed competition. More of a maintenance issue that might creep up at times.
