Injured Pirates starter Trevor Williams moves closer to return to rotation

The beleaguered Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation finally got some good news Wednesday.

Trevor Williams was scheduled to throw a bullpen session consisting of about two innings’ worth of pitches before the Pirates faced the Atlanta Braves. If all goes according to plan, he will pitch a simulated game this weekend in Milwaukee, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said.

Williams could be in line for a rehab start June 13, manager Clint Hurdle said.

Williams has been out since May 16 with a right side strain. He’s one of the team’s most effective starters, going 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA in nine starts this season.

Here are the other injury updates Tomczyk provided Wednesday:

• Starter Jameson Taillon, who has been out since May 1 with an elbow injury, is four weeks into a proscribed rest period of four-to-six weeks. He’s working on his grip and strength and conditioning exercises but has not yet resumed throwing. He will move his rehab to Bradenton while the Pirates are on a 10-game road trip that starts Friday.

• Reliever Keona Kela, out since May 4 with shoulder problems, is also halfway through his proscribed rest period. He too is headed to Bradenton.

• Outfielder Corey Dickerson is eight games into a rehab assignment with Indianapolis and is experiencing no discomfort, tightness or pain in his shoulder. He’s 5 for 30 coming into Wednesday night’s game.

• Infielder Jung Ho Kang is six games into an Indianapolis rehab assignment for an injury to his side. He’s 10 for 21 with a home run and three doubles.

• Shortstop Erik Gonzalez, out since breaking his collarbone April 19, has been cleared to resume hitting. He’s two weeks or so away from a rehab assignment.

• Catcher Francisco Cervelli, out since May 25, is still experiencing concussion-related symptoms.

• Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall remains sidelined by a calf injury. He’s recuperating at home.

• Triple-A starter J.T. Brubaker (arm) is throwing on flat ground. He will soon throw from the mound.

• Reliever Chris Stratton (arm) threw a side session Wednesday and is scheduled for a simulated game this weekend.

• Reliever Nick Burdi is five weeks into a rest period of a nerve problem in his elbow. Tomczyk reports he’s making slow and steady progress and while not symptom-free, has been cleared to resume throwing.