Concussion symptoms sideline Davis during rehab assignment
After experiencing mild recurring symptoms in the aftermath of a concussion, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis had his rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Altoona paused.
Davis began his rehab assignment with the Curve on June 26 and caught two games in Altoona before reporting light headaches and instances of nausea.
As a result, the Pirates brought him back to Pittsburgh, where he’s engaging in baseball activities such as batting practice, running the bases and catching bullpen sessions.
But for now, with his next medical evaluation scheduled after the club’s series opener at PNC Park vs. the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, Davis is inactive.
“It’s awesome on Henry’s part to make sure he’s open and transparent about what he’s feeling,” said Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. “It was decided to pause him from playing but to continue the vestibular and continue the baseball activities … He’s currently asymptomatic.”
Davis was initially placed on the 7-day injured list on June 15. He last appeared for the Pirates on June 14 and was hitting just .153 on the year through 29 games.
Also per Tomczyk, pitchers Marco Gonzales and Ryan Borucki, both of whom have endured stints on the 60-day injured list, are on rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Borucki thus far has made three appearances out of the bullpen with the Indians, with a 3.38 ERA through 22⁄3 innings.
He has been sidelined since early April with triceps inflammation in his throwing arm.
Gonzales, inactive since April with a left forearm muscle strain, recently made his first start for the Indians, tossing three innings and 51 pitches.
A specific timetable for their returns remains uncertain, but both players appear to be trending in the right direction.
“All signs are very encouraging with Marco and Ryan.” Tomczyk said.
All-Star closer David Bednar, who headed to the injured list (retroactive to June 20) with a left oblique strain, has started playing catch from 120 feet and is expected to begin throwing off the mound in coming days.
Fellow righty reliever Hunter Stratton (triceps strain) also is throwing the ball from flat surfaces, with side sessions and/or pitching from the mound anticipated to begin this week.
Right-hander Quinn Priester (right lat muscle injury) navigated through the first start of his rehab assignment in Indianapolis “without any hiccups,” per Tomczyk, and is on the hill for the Indians again Tuesday at Louisville.
A handful of Pirates players are continuing along in their recoveries after Tommy John surgery.
No. 9 overall prospect and right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows recently made his first start at Low-A Bradenton, throwing four innings.
“That was really exciting,” Tomczyk said. “He is now getting back into the swing of things, getting into that six-man rotation and pitching in the minor leagues, so it’s really, really encouraging. And he’s responded really well. So, he’s worked his tail off coming back from Tommy John.”
