PIRATES

As Justin Lawrence and Tim Mayza continue to work their way back from respective elbow and shoulder issues, the Pirates' goal is to get them back to major-league competition this year. 

Todd Tomczyk said this morning that both are still in the side progression phase down in Florida, but they're projected to begin throwing live batting practice sessions around the third week of this month.

“They’re coming along very nicely," Tomczyk said. "We’ll reassess after their first live BP to see what the next steps are. Generally, as we’ve learned over and talked over the years, it’s a sim game, if not some type of rehab assignment, shortly after live batting practice. Overall, those pitchers are doing very well."

Additional updates from Tomczyk: 

• Chase Shugart (knee) has experienced no issues through two rehab outings with low Class A Bradenton and Class AAA Indianapolis. He's expected to have another outing with Indy.

“From a rehab perspective, he is checking off the benchmarks of good health and availability," Tomczyk said. "We’re still having discussions with Donnie (Kelly) and the pitching group, Oscar (Marin) and Jeremy Bleich of what those look like, but most importantly, he’s responded to initial workload and initial games. So we’re still working through all of that.”

• Jared Jones (elbow) is about 11 weeks post-op. He continues to be "very diligent and very professional about how he goes about his business.”

• Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder) is three months post-op and is throwing out to 90 feet. He's still projected to return to full baseball activities in six months. 

"The goal is to line up so he can get some playing time, some at-bats in winter ball," Tomczyk said. "He’s doing really well.”

• Endy Rodriguez (elbow) is out in Los Angeles this week visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who conducted his first surgery. 

"We’re learning more," Tomczyk said. "We’ll have an update as new information becomes available with Endy.”