PITTSBURGH — It’s been a rough season for reliever Evan Meek. Coming out of spring training, the Pirates 2010 All-Star was named the Bucs set-up man to closer Joel Hanrahan. But after landing on the disabled list twice with shoulder tendonitis, Meek has appeared in just 23 appearances this season where he’s posted a 3.66 ERA.
“I think everybody’s hope is that he can regain the form that everybody here saw in 2010,“ Bucs Manager Clint Hurdle said. “Can he get back there? Time will tell. That was a pretty substantial blow to the bullpen losing him. Everybody basically had to move back an inning. That’s much easier said than done.”
“We’re pulling for him. He has to come in and make the club [out of spring training]. He knows that.”
Since being reinstated from the disabled list on August 6th, Meek has made five appearances (4.1 innings) allowing one run with six walks. For the first time this season, Meek is the healthiest he’s been and is focusing on finishing the season out strong.
“He’s in a pretty good place and I think he’s been able to close the door on what has happened,“ Hurdle said. “He can focus forward on what he needs to do to be in the best pitching shape he can be in next spring to see if that guy can show up again. He’s going to give everything he’s got.”
With just four games remaining in the season, Meek will only get a few more opportunities in relief this season. The Pirates are hopeful that he will be able to get back to full arm strength for next season and he will also be watched this off-season.
“Our trainers are somewhat confident that we should be able to get back the arm strength,“ Hurdle said. “He’s been in touch also with Dr. James Andrews. He’ll revisit them this winter to make sure everything is moving in the right direction. If we get back a healthy Evan Meek, that’s a free agent acquisition over the winter. Everybody is pulling for him.”
Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
Discussion about this post