Down And Out Pirates

OK, we're bored silly on an off-day, so we thought we'd take a look at what guys are already down in the system a month into the season. The list, as best we can figure, is:

• RHPs Jeff Karstens and Chris Leroux, both out with shoulder injuries, are throwing off level ground. (Pittsburgh)
• SS Gustavo Nunez, the Pirates Rule 5 pick from the Tigers, hasn't played yet. He's still recovering from off-season ankle surgery. (Pittsburgh)
• RHP Logan Kensing has been out since camp after suffering tightness in his lower right abdomen. He's a non-roster invitee who pitched previously for the Marlins & Nats. (Indy)
• LHP Daniel Moskos was placed on DL; still waiting for the cause (EDIT - elbow discomfort). (Indy, 40-man)
• OF Starling Marte took a pitch off the hand yesterday, and the Pirates haven't given a report on the seriousness yet. Maybe it's still too swollen; hopefully it's not a break or hammate (EDIT - the Pirates announced that it's just a bruise). Fangraphs rated him as the #6 prospect in the sytem. (Indy, 40-man)
• RHP Kyle McPherson has been out with shoulder inflammation. He's been tossing, so hopefully he'll be back sooner as opposed to later. Fangraphs ranked him as the #8 farm prospect, and he was the Bucs Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011. (Indy, 40-man)
• 1B Nick Evans had surgery done on his broken left hand with no estimated return date. (Indy)
• SS Chase d'Arnaud is still out with a concussion. (Indy, 40-man)
• RHP Mike Crotta had a bone spur removed and a pin put in his elbow. (Indy)
• 2B Jarek Cunningham is out with a left wrist injury. (Altoona)
• RHP Aaron Pribanic is down with a right shoulder injury. (Altoona)
• OF Andrew Lambo, who came to Pittsburgh with James McDonald for Octavio Dotel, injured his wrist. (Altoona)
• RHP Ryan Beckman has an elbow injury. (Altoona)
• OF Adalberto Santos injured his right wrist. He got off the bench and was playing well as a replacement for Lambo. (Altoona)
• RHP Aaron Poreda was just DL'ed with a sore shoulder. (Altoona)
• LHP Kyle Cofield was put on the DL yesterday, and we're not exactly sure what his problem is as he pitched the day before. He did have several nagging injuries in 2011. (Altoona)
•  OF Josh Bell had surgery on the meniscus in his left knee, which he injured running the bases. He is expected to return to action later this year. Fangraphs had him as the Pirates #2 organizational prospect. (West VA)

Many of the injuries are described generally; that's the minor league MO for everyone, just not Pittsburgh. If surgery isn't involved, it's all wait-and-see as to severity and duration.

The injuries are mainly confined to the higher levels with seven down at both Indy and Altoona. Bradenton has an entirely healthy roster and the Power, beside missing Bell, only have 3B Vince Harrison, Josh's bro, on the DL, and he's primarily a coach. Still, when 3 of the top 8 prospects are hurt, that's a hit on the developmental progress of the organization.