Marco Gonzales Starts Rehab Assignment With Indianapolis on Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed starting pitcher Marco Gonzales will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday night. Gonzales has been on the injured list since Apr. 14 with a left forearm muscle strain.

Prior to his injury, the 32-year-old made three starts for the Pirates and posted a 2.65 ERA, allowing five runs in 17 innings pitched. Gonzales allowed 15 hits, walked five and struck out 11 batters.

The Pirates acquired Gonzales from the Atlanta Braves in the offseason in hopes the veteran would provide a stable presence in a relatively young starting rotation.

Though Gonzales has missed most of the season, the Pirates’ starting rotation has been amongst the best in baseball. Pittsburgh’s starters have combined for the sixth-best ERA in baseball with a 3.59 mark.

The Pirates currently have a full rotation, creating a bit of a dilemma for when Gonzales returns from the injured list. Mitch Keller is pitching as good as ever and rookies Paul Skenes and Jared Jones have been crucial to keeping the Pirates alive in the playoff picture at the halfway point of the season. Left-hander Bailey Falter has been a pleasant surprise this season and fellow southpaw Martín Pérez recently returned from the IL.

Though the rotation has been a strength this season, the Pirates will have to be mindful of inning totals for both Jones and Skenes. Both are in their first season as major-league starters and Skenes is in his first season as a professional.

Though Gonzales is nearing a return, it will likely still be a little while before he returns to Pittsburgh. Considering how much time he’s missed this season, Gonzales will need to make multiple appearances before being activated.

He’ll get his first chance on Monday night when the Indians take on the Louisville Bats at 6:35 ET.