Craig Wilson headed to Class AAA Indianapolis after the game Sunday to begin an injury-rehabilitation assignment. Wilson will play in his first game today.
"I'm ready to get going," Wilson said.
Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Wilson can spend up to 20 days with Indianapolis. Although Wilson prefers to rejoin the Pirates after the All-Star break, indications are that Pirates management wants him to spend at least two weeks in the minors.
"He's missed two months," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "He needs live pitching and he needs to get in game shape. We'd love to have his bat ready as soon as possible. But having missed that amount of time, it's hard to say when he'll be back."
If Littlefield deals pitcher Mark Redman before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, it won't happen because the organization is stocked with left-handed pitchers. Zach Duke and Dave Williams are in the rotation, Oliver Perez is on the disabled list, Sean Burnett will be back from "Tommy John" surgery next year and prospects Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny are at Class AA Altoona. "I'm not a proponent of the lefty-righty thing as much as I'm a proponent of having better players," Littlefield said, adding, "You can always find right-handers."
Littlefield said he has no "drop-dead date" in mind regarding a decision whether to sign Redman to a contract extension or trade him during the next four weeks.
Shortstop Jack Wilson was back in the lineup after leaving Saturday's game in the seventh inning with a contusion on his forehead. Wilson was tested for a concussion yesterday morning, then was cleared to play. Wilson was injured when he accidentally walked into the path of a bat that outfielder Michael Restovich was swinging in the clubhouse.
According to the New York Daily News, Tike Redman has been mentioned in trade discussions with the New York Yankees, who are looking for a center fielder to replace struggling Bernie Williams.
Josh Sharpless has been placed on the disabled list at Class AA Altoona with right elbow soreness. Sharpless didn't allow an earned run in 27 innings at Class A Lynchburg before being promoted last month. At Altoona, he has allowed three runs in 9 1/3 innings.
