JULY 8, 2023 • MLB.COM
'Hit the reset button': Velasquez on why he had surgery This story was excerpted from Justice delos Santos’ Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get i...
'I would love to' | Vince Velasquez meets with reporters for first time since surgery, discusses desire to return to Pirates next year LOS ANGELES – Roughly 35 miles away from his hometown of Montclair, Calif., Vince Velasquez found himself in a different kind of familiar se...
JULY 7, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Moves to 60-day IL The Pirates transferred Velasquez (elbow) to the 60-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Impact Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow earlier this month, so his move to the 60-day IL doesn't come as much of a surprise. The 31-year-old righty will end the season with a 3.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 37 strikeouts through 37.1 innings. He'll become a free agent this offseason and figures to return midway through 2024.
JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Velasquez undergoes season-ending UCL surgery PITTSBURGH -- As Vince Velasquez sat at his locker in the visiting clubhouse of T-Mobile Field on May 28, he expressed optimism that he woul...
JUNE 9, 2023 • MLB.COM
Report: Pirates P Vince Velasquez (elbow) out for season Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Vince Velasquez underwent season-ending elbow surgery Friday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported
JUNE 9, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM
Undergoes elbow surgery Velasquez underwent season-ending surgery Friday on his right elbow, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact Velasquez was originally diagnosed with elbow inflammation when he landed back on the injured list May 28, but further testing revealed the need for a surgical repair. The 31-year-old right-hander finishes the 2023 campaign with a 3.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB in eight starts (37.1 innings) with the Pirates. He is scheduled to become a free agent this winter.
JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Set for MRI Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Velasquez is set to undergo an MRI and receive further medical opinions after the right-hander exited his start in Saturday'...
Impact Velasquez was shelved for about three and a half weeks with elbow inflammation before he returned from the 15-day injured list Saturday, only to suffer a setback with his throwing arm two innings into his start and returning to the IL a day later. The 30-year-old implied that he'll likely be in store for a lengthier absence than the previous one in his second stint on the IL, though he's optimistic that he'll pitch again in 2023. Expect a clearer timeline as well as a more precise diagnosis of his injury to become available once the results of the MRI are read.
MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates put RHP Vince Velasquez (elbow) back on IL The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander Vince Velasquez on the 15-day injured list Sunday, a day after his return from a previous bout wi...
MAY 28, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM
Pirates pitcher Vince Velasquez 'optimistic' on elbow, still faces long road ahead Speaking Sunday morning, Vince Velasquez said he’s optimistic he’ll pitch again this season and not require surgery.
MAY 28, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Shelved with elbow discomfort The Pirates placed Velasquez on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right elbow discomfort, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.
Impact After returning Saturday from a stint on the 15-day IL due to elbow inflammation, Velasquez lasted just two innings into his start against the Mariners before succumbing to a related injury. The Pirates haven't provided a firm diagnosis or timeline for Velasquez's return, but in light of his latest elbow-related setback, the right-hander acknowledged that he'll likely be in store for a longer period of time off than he had during his first stint on the IL, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Velasquez added that he's confident he'll be able to pitch again this season, but his absence for at least the next few weeks should reopen the door for the struggling Roansy Contreras to re-enter the rotation.
MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bucs' rotation in flux after Velasquez's IL return cut short SEATTLE -- Vince Velasquez’s first outing off the injured list didn’t go as planned. After spending several weeks on the IL due to right elb...
MAY 28, 2023 • MLB.COM
Vince Velasquez experiences more elbow issues in return, as Pirates fall to Mariners Vince Velasquez experienced more elbow issues and left after two innings Saturday during a 5-0 loss against the Mariners.
MAY 27, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Removed with elbow discomfort Velasquez was removed from Saturday's start against Seattle with right elbow discomfort. He allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings with three strikeouts and one walk befo...
Impact Velasquez was making his first start since early May, as he was sidelined with inflammation in the same elbow. The right-hander should be considered day-to-day at this stage, but saying that his next scheduled start is in doubt is an understatement.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starting Saturday Velasquez (elbow) will return from the injured list to start Saturday in Seattle.
Impact Velasquez has been out since early May with elbow inflammation but will make it back to the rotation having missed less than a month. Prior to the injury, he recorded a 3.06 ERA in seven starts, though his ERA estimators (4.50 xFIP, 4.43 SIERA) suggest he deserved something much closer to his career 4.84 ERA.
MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Confirmed for weekend return Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Wednesday that Velasquez (elbow) will return to the rotation this weekend in Seattle, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.
Impact The safest bet is that Velasquez will slide into Luis Ortiz's spot Sunday, as Mitch Keller and Roansy Contreras are secure in their roles and currently line up to handle the first two games of the three-game series versus the Mariners. Out since May 5 due to right elbow inflammation, Velasquez tallied four strikeouts over 4.2 scoreless innings in his lone rehab start this past Saturday at Triple-A Indianapolis. He threw 63 pitches in that outing and should be able to handle 80-plus pitches in his return start with Pittsburgh.
MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Vince Velasquez expected to return to Pirates' rotation on upcoming road trip Vince Velasquez returned to Pittsburgh and will travel with the team. Expect him to start against the Mariners this weekend.
MAY 24, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Should rejoin rotation this weekend Velasquez returned to Pittsburgh on Wednesday and expects to be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start at some point during the Pirates' upcoming series in Seattle...
Impact Velasquez acknowledged that it's not his call when the Pirates choose to activate him, though general manager Ben Cherington told Justice delos Santos of MLB.com that "all signs point to" the right-hander being reinstated from the IL for his next outing. Though Velasquez was initially expected to make two minor-league rehab starts prior to being activated, he looks like he'll be ready to go after striking out four over 4.2 scoreless innings with Triple-A Indianapolis this past Saturday. Velasquez will most likely take back a spot in the Pittsburgh rotation from Luis Ortiz.
MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Could require another rehab start General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday the Pirates have yet to decide if Velasquez (elbow) will require a second minor-league rehab start, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com repor...
Impact The right-hander made his first rehab outing with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday and threw 63 pitches across 4.2 scoreless innings. Velasquez has been on the shelf with elbow inflammation since May 5, and Pittsburgh could want to see another start in the minors in order to further build up his workload before re-inserting him into the big-league rotation.
MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throwing side session Wednesday Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told reporters that Velasquez (elbow) will throw a side session Wednesday and make a rehab start later this week, Jason Mackey of the Pitts...
Impact The rehab start is expected to take place with Triple-A Indianapolis. Velasquez threw a live batting practice session without issue Monday, and the 30-year-old has made enough progress from the inflammation in his right elbow to take the final step before rejoining the Pittsburgh pitching staff. Velasquez will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before he does link back up with the Pirates, but assuming there are no injury setbacks that should occur by the end of May.
MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Nearing rehab assignment Velasquez (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis later this week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact Velasquez checked the final box in his throwing progression when he made it through a live batting practice session Monday without issue. The 30-year-old right-hander has made a swift recovery from the bout of elbow inflammation that sent him to the injured list May 5 and could return to the Pirates' rotation by the end of the month, possibly after only one outing on the farm.
MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates' Vince Velasquez back to throwing, on track for live BP early next week Reinforcements in the form of a familiar face appear to be on the way for the Pirates rotation. Todd Tomczyk, the Pirates director of sports...
MAY 10, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Will throw live BP next week Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told reporters Wednesday that Valeasquez (elbow) will throw live batting practice next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Ga...
Impact Tomczyk is confident that Velasquez will only miss the minimum 15 days after being placed on the injured list May 5 with inflammation in his right elbow. The right-hander will likely need to throw a few more bullpens and possibly make a rehab start, but all signs point to him being back right around May 20 to make more starts for the Pirates.
MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates place RHP Vince Velasquez on 15-day IL The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander Vince Velasquez on the 15-day injured list Friday with inflammation in his pitching elbow
MAY 5, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM
Pirates' Vince Velasquez moved to 15-day IL, Chase De Jong activated The Pirates rotation was dealt its first serious blow of the season. The team announced Friday afternoon that right-hander Vince Velasquez...
MAY 5, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Lands on injured list Velasquez was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation.
Impact After being pulled from his start Thursday due to injury, Velasquez initially expressed optimism about his injury, calling it "nothing too severe." Instead, he will be out for at least two weeks, as the injury is apparently worse than expected. He will be replaced on the roster by Chase De Jong (back), who was activated from a rehab assignment Friday.
MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
