The last two years, it’s been Joel Hanrahan and Andrew McCutchen that have represented the Pittsburgh Pirates in the All-Star game. In 2010 however, it was relief pitcher Evan Meek. Meek, a former rule-5 pick, enjoyed his breakout season in 2010 and was in contention with Hanrahan to be the Pirates closer in 2011. During the season however, Meek suffered an injury and missed the majority of the year. In what he hoped would be a bounce back year this season, Meek struggled with his control and velocity resulting in his demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Well with a right-shoulder inflammation injury to Juan Cruz retroactive July 18 forcing Cruz to go on the disabled list, Meek was recalled back to Pittsburgh.
“I think it’s good for our men down there for the work they do and we thought it was an appropriate time to get him back up here and get him in the mix,” Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle said.
Hurdle said for Cruz, the injury seemed to act up during the Pirates road trip in Colorado.
“I think it got hot after the outing in Colorado,” Hurdle said. “I think he pitched with some discomfort, as many of the guys do, prior to that. Some are able to work through it, I know he has during times of his career. We wanted to continue to keep it in play, but at this particular point in time, we thought it would be best to just back him away and get him some rest before it became more problematic.”
For Cruz, this was the first injury that he has had since having surgery in 2010, but he doesn’t think it will be too serious.
“This is the first time since the surgery. I don’t know if you guys knew that I had surgery in 2010,” Cruz said. “Everything was okay after that, but last couple days it didn’t feel too good. I don’t think anything is that bad.
Cruz said it started before the All-Star break, but his last time pitching is when he really felt it.
“It felt bad before the All-Star break. The first time it bothered me worst was when we played against the Phillies,” Cruz said. “The last time I pitched, I felt tightness in my right arm, so I talked to them and they said they’d sit me for two days and after that it didn’t feel too good.”
“I saw the doctor yesterday before the game, he said it didn’t look too good, but not too bad. He didn’t want to take a chance.”
As for Meek, Hurdle said he talked to Triple-A manager Dean Treanor and he’s liked what he’s seen.
“I haven’t seen (the movement), but I talked to Dean Treanor today and he’s seen movement and fastball command down in the zone. The ball is cutting. He’s still throwing his breaking ball as well. He’s been pitching well for them and they’ve gone to bat for him.”
Meek said he focused on just pitching and getting back to the basics in Indianapolis where he posted a 3-2 record and a 2.27 ERA in 27 appearances.
“I’ve just been pitching and getting consistent work. I’ve pitched a lot. I feel great just pitching that seventh-eighth inning role doing what I did here when I was healthy. It’s just nice to be healthy again and feel right and be back here.”
“I feel like I’m back to where I was in 2010. There’s no pain, I feel good, throwing strikes and the velocity is back. I’m just ready to go.”
Meek said he’s missed out on the success the past two years and is just ready to take part in the winning ways in Pittsburgh.
“(In) 2010 I had that good year, but the team didn’t really do that well,” Meek explained. “I got hurt 2011 and we’re in first place after the All-Star break. And now where the team is, it’s like GOD, I just want to be a part of that and just win with these guys. It’s a great group of guys and I just want to be here and do what I can.”
Before his injury last year, Meek was a setup man to Hanrahan in the eighth inning. With Jason Grilli now taking that role over, Hurdle plans on using Meek however he can.
“There’s no particular role right now,” Hurdle said. “We’re going to get him out there, he has been stretched out to two innings. He’s actually closed a game for them earlier this week. We’ve got a pretty good eighth inning guy right now and a pretty good ninth inning, so we’ll use him in front of that. As the usage goes with back-to-back days, the roles open up.”
For Meek, the role doesn’t matter as he just wants to help his team win.
“I hope that Cruz is okay, but this team is doing really well,” Meek said. “I’ve been watching them. It’s just great to be here and help anyway that I can whether it’s eating innings or getting outs. It’s just good to be back here.”
Photo Credits: Getty Images
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