One week until Opening Day …
As we approach the final week of draft preparation, one of the most pressing questions is about George Kirby’s condition. He was recently sidelined due to shoulder soreness, but there were limited updates at the time, leaving his situation for the upcoming season uncertain.
Fortunately, we received some positive news on Wednesday. Kirby has not yet been cleared to throw since his shutdown, but he feels confident about his shoulder’s readiness. Although the team is cautious with his recovery, he received a “biologics” injection shortly after his injury, as reported by The Seattle Times. Recently, he has been authorized to start arm-strengthening exercises.
If everything proceeds without a hitch, Kirby could soon start a throwing program, with aspirations of playing catch in the coming days. He will miss the season’s start and remain at the team’s spring training facility for an additional three weeks, where he could participate in extended spring training games.
A rehabilitation assignment will likely follow, and Kirby expressed optimism about returning: “I’m hoping to get back up there by the middle of April.” However, shoulder injuries can be unpredictable, and while things sound hopeful, we must remain cautious. The injury didn’t appear overly severe—at least compared to other shoulder problems. With a bit of luck, we might see Kirby back in action before April ends, making him a potentially worthwhile, albeit risky, selection in drafts beyond the top 100.
On the other hand, we cannot say the same for Jared Jones. Unfortunately, he is our focus for today’s newsletter, which includes the latest edition of “Spring Training Believe It or Not.” Here’s the major update:
Spring Training Believe It or Not
Believe It or Not: Jared Jones Should Be Off Draft Boards
Jones was removed from his upcoming spring start due to elbow discomfort experienced after a recent bullpen session, and he will not pitch again this spring while awaiting further evaluation. Consequently, it’s reasonable to assume he won’t be ready for the regular season, despite the team trying to downplay the severity of the issue.
“This is standard procedure,” Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk mentioned. “When any pitcher reports issues in recovery, we aim to be thorough and comprehensive.” The team is seeking a second opinion on Jones’ elbow, but given that elbow concerns in young pitchers can be alarming, we must stay cautious.
