Pirates Notebook: Duffy to have surgery

2012-03-17 07:56:56

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By Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Chris Duffy, the Pirates' opening-day center fielder, will have surgery on his left shoulder tomorrow, two sources confirmed yesterday.

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Los Angeles Angels' team physician who examined Duffy yesterday in Los Angeles. It was not known precisely which aspect of the shoulder Yocum will address, but the Pirates last week described Duffy as having "normal wear and tear" in the rotator cuff.

Any type of surgery will end Duffy's season, and it likely will cost him a chance to play winter ball, too. But he should be ready by next spring training.

Burnett has shot

Starter Sean Burnett received a cortisone shot in his left elbow from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., yesterday and, after 10 days of rest, will prepare to pitch for a Venezuelan winter team beginning Oct. 11.

Burnett complained of trouble in his surgically repaired elbow last week while rehabilitating in Bradenton, Fla.

Torres aims to return

Reliever Salomon Torres, on the disabled list because of an inflamed elbow ligament, also received a cortisone shot -- his came Monday -- and said yesterday he "very much" plans to pitch again this season. More will be known in two or three days, depending on how the elbow responds to the shot.

Although Torres has been shut down twice this year by elbow soreness, there apparently is no structural issue. Torres said he long has had a bone spur in the area but added that it is not loose and not related.

Rather, he blamed a lack of activity leading up to spring training.

"I'm going to get back to pitching a little more in the offseason, like I used to, maybe in the Dominican," he said. "I didn't really start pitching this year until February."

Duke upbeat

Starter Zach Duke was back with his teammates for the first time since his ailing elbow put him on the disabled list in late June and, judging from a wide smile, he clearly was soaking it in.

"It's just tremendous to be back here," Duke said. "It's my first arm injury, and the mental part of it, being away from the team ... it isn't easy."

Duke said the elbow is "feeling great," but it was not until his most recent start, Monday in Bradenton, that he "really just found something and let the ball go."

He will start Saturday for Class AAA Indianapolis. He could then rejoin the Pirates if all goes well, or he could pitch Sept. 6 for Class A State College, the only minor-league affiliate active on that date.

Buried treasure

Shortstop Jack Wilson stayed out of the lineup because of the bruised left shin that is hindering his mobility. He said he "might" be back tonight.

The starters for the weekend series in Milwaukee will be Tony Armas, Shane Youman and Tom Gorzelanny. Youman's inclusion gives the regular rotation an extra day.

Josh Phelps did extra throwing from behind home plate early in the afternoon, under the supervision of bench coach Jim Lett, the team's catching instructor.

Starter Duke Welker, the Pirates' second-round draft pick in June, has made a quick enough recovery from pain in his right forearm to convince management to change its mind and allow him to pitch again for Class A State College before the season ends next week. Welker was shut down in mid-August with an eye toward having him return for the fall Instructional League.


First Published August 30, 2007 12:00 am
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