The Pirates are waiting on player requested second opinions on two pitchers they originally believed would be a big part of their 2023 plans.
JT Brubaker (elbow) was sidelined days before the regular season started and has taken part of a very exhaustive process to map out a recovery plan.
Brubaker has dealt with an elbow forearm injury in the past, which cost him almost the entirety of 2019, but ended with him avoiding surgery.
"The injury this time is a little different location," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Tuesday. "That’s why we’re exhausting, he’s exhausting all resources to make sure that we have the most comprehensive opinions and path to preserve the vast majority of not so much this season potentially but in subsequent seasons to come.