Pirates infielder Erik Gonzalez 'exceeding expectations' in recovery from oblique injury

The Pittsburgh Pirates have three position players on the injured list. One is ahead of schedule and one right on schedule while another has suffered a setback.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said infielder Erik Gonzalez (right oblique strain) is “exceeding expectations” in his recovery by taking ground balls and playing catch out to 90 feet and is expected to resume hitting this weekend. Tomczyk said Gonzalez, who was injured on July 1, is “slightly ahead” of the four- to six-week projection.

First baseman Colin Moran (fractured left wrist) resumed swinging in the batting cage Tuesday and is on track for activities that involve gripping a bat, which Tomczyk called “encouraging news.”

Outfielder Ka’ai Tom, however, reaggravated his lower-back injury and is rehabilitating with the medical performance team in Pittsburgh.

“We don’t envision him resuming any type of baseball activities until early next week,” Tomczyk said.

In other Pirates injury updates:

• Tomczyk said the Pirates are still learning more about Chase De Jong’s left knee inflammation that placed the right-hander on the 10-day IL. De Jong had an MRI in Arizona, and the images were sent to team doctors in Pittsburgh.

• Lefty reliever Sam Howard “is making nice strides” in his recovery from an oblique injury and is expected to resume playing catch later this week.

• Right-hander Trevor Cahill (left calf) has resumed throwing side sessions on flat ground, and Tomczyk said the Pirates envision Cahill throwing a side or two in the coming days to line him up for a live batting practice on Saturday in San Francisco.

• Left-hander Steven Brault made his first start on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis and “came out of that pretty well,” said Tomczyk, who added that Brault will throw a bullpen session in the coming days to prepare for his next start.

• Right-hander Roansy Contreras and shortstop Oneil Cruz are rehabilitating forearm injuries in Double-A Altoona. Tomcyzk expects Contreras to play catch in the coming days but said Cruz is “still feeling mild symptoms” and not throwing yet.

Tomczyk also ruled out the possibility that Cruz was injured while working in the outfield, saying that his transition involved only defensive position work and no throwing.

“At the moment ... surgery is not part of the discussion,” Tomczyk said. “He is improving, so those are encouraging signs. We want to make sure that all that last bit of inflammation and soreness that he’s experiencing is gone before we put a baseball bat in his hands.”

• Triple-A right-hander Miguel Yajure (forearm) has resumed throwing side sessions and threw a live batting practice earlier this week.

• In High-A Greensboro, right-handers Michael Burrows (oblique) and Carmen Mlodzinski (shoulder) are both dealing with injuries. Where Burrows “will be down for a short period of time,” Tomczyk said, Mlodzinski has resumed throwing.