It all looked good for Chris Leroux during spring training. The Montreal native pitched in 10 games in spring and boasted an unflattering 10.45 ERA, but was still on track to lock down on of the final two roster spots on the opening day roster. Leroux, who is out of options, made the decision whether to keep him, Jared Hughes or Matt Hague easy for the Pirates as he was placed on the 60-day DL with a strained pectoral muscle, an injury suffered in the Pirates final spring training game last Tuesday.
The injury to Leroux, is one that the trainers can’t remember seeing before. Leroux was placed on a strict no-throwing plan for 3-4 weeks. Even without throwing, Leroux is still staying conditioned.
“I’ve already started a running and cardio program, as well as body weight stuff. Nothing over my head because that would aggravate the injury,” Leroux said. “As of right now, it’s strictly trying to get my chest feeling as good as possible.”
Leroux described the injury as being similar to a hamstring. If you tweak it, you can’t push it.
“You got to take some time off. You can’t rush back or otherwise it’s just going to be there all season and I’ll miss the whole season,” Leroux said. “I can’t throw for 3-4 weeks at the very least.”
Leroux appeared in 23 games for the Pirates last season and struck out an impressive 24 batters along with a 2.88 ERA and held a 1.32 WHIP during that time. Leroux, who will turn 28-years-old on Saturday, has bounced back and forth between the Florida/Miami Marlins and the Pirates in his brief four-year career. When he recovers from the injury, he is expected to replace Hughes in the bullpen as a middle-reliever.
“I’ll be doing my throwing progression for two weeks I assume, and then do a rehab program in Bradenton and then go to Indianapolis maybe. After my rehab program is over, hopefully I’ll be back here in Pittsburgh,” Leroux said.
While Leroux was unable to take part in the first series of the season, he was able to enjoy them from a place he had never watched a game from before.
“The first couple games were awesome and I got to watch them from the dugout for the first time in my career,” Leroux said. “Watching Halladay and Lee who are great, and then the past two games, they were my first two walk-off games I have been a part of.”
And when watching the replays of the Alex Presley and Andrew McCutchen walk-off hits against the Phillies, you can see Leroux celebrating with the team on the field. But don’t fret Pirates fans, because even in the moments of excitement, Leroux still displayed extreme caution.
“I was hitting both of them with my left arm so I wouldn’t injure myself further,” Leroux said jokingly.
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