Hunter Barco, the Pirates' No. 5 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has resumed throwing after suffering a mild muscle strain in his left shoulder, according to Pirates' senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk.
Barco threw 1/3 of an inning during his last start for Class AAA Indianapolis on May 15 before leaving the game. Barco was examined by staff and is now throwing up to 120 feet. Tomczyk said they are taking it "day by day" and "once they see how he gets through some flat ground, they’ll most likely put him on the slope.”
Barco didn't allow a run over 25 2/3 innings for Class AA Altoona to start the year. He was then promoted to Class AAA Indianapolis. He's made two starts for the Indians, allowing three earned runs and three hits while striking out six.
• Enmanuel Valdez (dislocated shoulder) will miss six months after undergoing shoulder surgery yesterday with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Ala. Tomczyk said Valdez underwent a SLAP repair (superior labrum anterior to posterior). Valdez was placed on the IL on May 9. He originally injured his shoulder against the Guardians in mid-April when sliding into third base but played through the injury.
• Justin Lawrence (elbow) was seen by Dr. KeithMeister last week and it was determined that he needed a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection, Tomczyk said. He'll be on rest and rehab for three weeks before he is reassessed.
• Colin Holderman (right thumb) was placed on the 15-day IL yesterday and Tomczyk said that the right-hander is suffering from right thumb tenosynovitis.
"That is an inflamed tendon of the thumb that is very debilitating for anybody that has a career in gripping and throwing a baseball," Tomczyk said.
Holderman will see hand surgeon Dr. Don Sheridan in Arizona next week.
• Johan Oviedo (right lat strain) has thrown four sides in his rehab and Tomczyk said the team is monitoring the intensity of his sessions.
• Nick Gonzales (ankle) has started his rehab assignment with Class AAA Indianapolis but was hit in the right hand during one of his first two games, Tomczyk said. Gonzales is swinging a bat, but is unlikely to play today. He will be reassessed tomorrow.
• Dauri Moreta (elbow) and Endy Rodriguez (right index finger laceration) are full-go in their rehab assignments with Indianapolis.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
4:32 pm - 05.21.2025NORTH SHORETomczyk: Barco (shoulder) resumes throwing
Hunter Barco, the Pirates' No. 5 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has resumed throwing after suffering a mild muscle strain in his left shoulder, according to Pirates' senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk.
Barco threw 1/3 of an inning during his last start for Class AAA Indianapolis on May 15 before leaving the game. Barco was examined by staff and is now throwing up to 120 feet. Tomczyk said they are taking it "day by day" and "once they see how he gets through some flat ground, they’ll most likely put him on the slope.”
Barco didn't allow a run over 25 2/3 innings for Class AA Altoona to start the year. He was then promoted to Class AAA Indianapolis. He's made two starts for the Indians, allowing three earned runs and three hits while striking out six.
• Enmanuel Valdez (dislocated shoulder) will miss six months after undergoing shoulder surgery yesterday with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Ala. Tomczyk said Valdez underwent a SLAP repair (superior labrum anterior to posterior). Valdez was placed on the IL on May 9. He originally injured his shoulder against the Guardians in mid-April when sliding into third base but played through the injury.
• Justin Lawrence (elbow) was seen by Dr. Keith Meister last week and it was determined that he needed a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection, Tomczyk said. He'll be on rest and rehab for three weeks before he is reassessed.
• Colin Holderman (right thumb) was placed on the 15-day IL yesterday and Tomczyk said that the right-hander is suffering from right thumb tenosynovitis.
"That is an inflamed tendon of the thumb that is very debilitating for anybody that has a career in gripping and throwing a baseball," Tomczyk said.
Holderman will see hand surgeon Dr. Don Sheridan in Arizona next week.
• Johan Oviedo (right lat strain) has thrown four sides in his rehab and Tomczyk said the team is monitoring the intensity of his sessions.
• Nick Gonzales (ankle) has started his rehab assignment with Class AAA Indianapolis but was hit in the right hand during one of his first two games, Tomczyk said. Gonzales is swinging a bat, but is unlikely to play today. He will be reassessed tomorrow.
• Dauri Moreta (elbow) and Endy Rodriguez (right index finger laceration) are full-go in their rehab assignments with Indianapolis.
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