BRADENTON, Fla. -- While players were undergoing physical examinations this morning around the corner from the clubhouse, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington announced that reliever Joel Hanrahan is suffering from a right (throwing) elbow injury that could remove him from his expected key bullpen role from two weeks to a month.

He also said utility infielder Ramon Vazquez had previously undisclosed arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in November.

Vazquez is expected to rehabilitate from his procedure by opening day, Huntington added.

Hanrahan's ailment, a flexor pronator strain in the elbow, prevents him from doing anything with his upper body until a scheduled MRI Tuesday and a visit to famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in his Pensacola, Fla., office next Thursday.

Huntington added that the other surgically repaired and rehabilitating Pirates pitchers on the roster were progressing on schedule: Jose Ascanio, who also will visit Andrews next Thursday (shoulder -- returns early June); Tyler Yates (second Tommy John surgery -- July); Craig Hansen (nerve malady -- throws off a mound March 10 to determine course); Neal Cotts (Tommy John surgery -- mid-June); Jimmy Barthmaier (Tommy John surgery -- mid-May).

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