Pirates notebook: Healthy arms could give team a needed boost

Trevor Williams will return to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation Wednesday night, and he does so as part of the reconstruction of the pitching staff.

The Pirates crossed Chris Stratton off the injured list Tuesday. Williams comes off Wednesday. Meanwhile, Jordan Lyles pitched a simulated game before the team met the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on Tuesday, and he could return soon.

Getting Williams and Lyles back into the rotation and Stratton’s experienced arm in the bullpen means there will be only nine Pirates left on the injured list.

If the Pirates hope to become relevant in the National League playoff chase, a healthy pitching staff is a necessity.

Manager Clint Hurdle said the mere presence of previously injured players can help mentally as well as tangibly.

“It can (give a boost). There are a lot of different things that come with that,” he said. “Pitching well will give us a boost, as well. But having one of your guys back, I think there’s always value in that.”

“We’ll get (Williams) on the mound and let him bring the edge that he brings when he pitches. You like guys who love to compete.”

Hurdle thinks Stratton can help a bullpen that is inexperienced and often overextended.

“There’s some downhill angle to his fastball,” the manager said. “It’s not a big number fastball, but it has some late life and some movement and the curveball has been a really good pitch for him. He’s shown some swing and miss. He’s shown some dependability out of the pen.”

In 8¹/₃ innings, Stratton has struck out eight. Right-handed pitcher Yefry Ramirez, who was recalled from Triple-A on Sunday, was returned to Indianapolis to make room for Stratton on the 25-man roster.

Lot of ball left

After another day off Thursday, Joe Musgrove will pitch Friday and Chris Archer on Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

Before Tuesday’s games, the Pirates were in last place in the National League Central, 7½ games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. Williams feels fortunate to be within striking distance.

“We didn’t get buried in the standings while all (the injuries were) happening,” he said.”We’ll see what happens in (the rest of) June and July. It’s still the first half of the season.”

Patience for Cervelli

Catcher Francisco Cervelli, who has been on the injured list since May 26 with a concussion, returned to the clubhouse, although his absence from the lineup has no ending date.

“This is a recovery program based on his (recovery) speed, and the trainers have set up a timetable,” Hurdle said. “He’s going through some light baseball activities right now. Nobody here has asked him when he’s coming back. They are happy to see him. Who wouldn’t be happy to see him back?”

Wellness seminar

Pitcher Jameson Taillon and six members of the Pirates’ athletic training staff, including director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, will participate in a seminar from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at PNC Park, part of the National PLAY Campaign aimed at promoting the importance of healthy living among children.

Joining Taillon and Tomczyk will be head trainer Bryan Housand and assistant Ben Potenziano, strength and conditioning coach Joe Hughes, physical therapist Kevin “Otis” Fitzgerald and sports science coordinator Brendon Huttmann.