Ascanio eventually will be back on Bucs’ active roster
By JOHN PERROTTO, special to the Herald-StarPITTSBURGH - Jose Ascanio got a step closer to being put back on Pittsburgh's active roster Tuesday night.
Ascanio pitched in a simulated game before the Pirates played the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park.
The right-hander has been on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis since Aug. 12. He was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 30 in a trade and made one start for Class AAA Indianapolis and two relief appearances for the Pirates before being injured.
Pirates manager John Russell was relatively pleased with the way Ascanio looked in facing hitters for the first time since going on the DL.
"He was a little erratic but, on the whole, he threw the ball pretty well," Russell said.
Ascanio will throw another simulated game Friday.
If all goes well, he will be activated from the DL this weekend.
"I feel great, like I'm ready to pitch in a game," Ascanio said.
The Pirates had originally hoped to see the 24-year-old Ascanio make a few starts this month. Instead, they will settle for using him in relief for a few games before the season ends Oct. 4.
"We were really looking forward to seeing what Jose could do for us," Russell said. "He has a great arm and we were happy to be able to trade for him.
"He's really impressed me since he has been here. Even though he hasn't pitched, he has been very attentive during the games and in working with (pitching coach) Joe Kerrigan. He's an interesting guy."
CONFIDENCE UPDATE: The Pirates are going through one of the worst stretches in the franchise's 123-year history as they had lost 20 of their last 23 games going into Tuesday night. The Pirates also have the second-youngest team in the major leagues behind Cleveland.
Thus, it would seem a logical assumption that a young club like the Pirates might be losing confidence with the losses piling up at such a rapid pace. Russell admitted it is a concern and he and the coaching staff have addressed it with the players in recent days.
"What we're doing is stressing the importance of preparation," Russell said. "If you're consistent in your daily work and preparation then you can take the field knowing you've given yourself your best chance to win. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some concern about the confidence now but we're very big believers in preparation."
INJURY UPDATE: Third baseman Adam LaRoche was back on the bench for the fourth time in the last five games as he got a rest one night after playing all 11 innings in an 11-6 loss to San Diego. LaRoche had sat out the previous three games with the flu and was still feeling somewhat rundown Tuesday.
Right-hander reliever Joel Hanrahan was again unavailable to pitch because of tenderness in his elbow. The Pirates don't have a timetable for when he could return but it should be in the next few days.
Hanrahan has not pitched since Sept. 15.
An MRI performed on utility infielder Ramon Vazquez's right knee showed no structural damage and he is available to be used off the bench. Vazquez said he has been feeling pain in the knee since early August.
JONES UPDATE: First baseman/outfielder Garrett Jones is the first rookie to have a 20-home run season without hitting one before July in 19 years. Kevin Maas did not homer until July 4 for the New York Yankees in 1990 and finished with 21.
Jones, 28, is also the oldest rookie with a 20-homer season since 29-year-old Bobby Darwin hit 22 for Minnesota in 1972.
UP NEXT: Kevin Hart (4-7, 4.71) is scheduled to pitch for the Pirates against the Reds' Homer Bailey (5-5, 5.15) at 7:05 p.m. today in the middle game of the three-game series. Hart has lost his last five starts, compiling a 5.86 ERA in that span.
(Perrotto can be contacted at jperrotto@piratesreport.com)
