If Opening Day had gone on as scheduled Thursday, Steven Brault and Clay Holmes would have began the season on the Pittsburgh Pirates injured list.

But the pitchers are progressing in their rehabs from injuries suffered during spring training, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk.

Brault was shut down March 2 because of a strain in his left (throwing) shoulder. Holmes did not pitch after suffering a fractured foot upon being struck by a ground ball during a Feb. 29 Grapefruit League game.

“He’s scheduled for another (X-ray) later this week, but the bone is healing well,” Tomczyk said on a conference call with Pittsburgh media. “The team has started him on a throwing program on one knee. He’s out to about 75-90 feet. We’re being creative (finding) different ways to get the arm conditioned and maintain the rest of the body strength. He’s making some nice progress.”

Brault has not been cleared yet to throw. Tomczyk said Brault remains in Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., to get individualized care from team training personnel.

“He continues to gain his lower-half strength back,” Tomczyk said. “He continues to work on end-range strength of the left shoulder. And he’s making improvements, he’s making necessary biomechanical adjustments that are needed for him to continue to move forward and get ready for the season to come.”

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