Minor-league pitcher Miguel Yajure moves to 60-day injured list, out until August

Jun. 25—Currently in the midst of 20 games without a day off, the Pittsburgh Pirates will need to bolster their starting rotation, but Miguel Yajure won't be able to help.

Yajure, who was placed on the seven-day minor-league injured list June 2 with a sore forearm, was transferred to the 60-day list Thursday. He won't be eligible to pitch again until early August.

Shelton said the move does not indicate any problems in Yajure's rehab.

"It has nothing to do with his progression. It has nothing to do with where he's at (in his recovery)," Shelton said. "Just more of a paper move. We need him to be healthy."

Yajure, 23, started two games for the Pirates earlier this season, compiling a 0-1 record, 2.76 ERA and .980 WHIP. In three starts for Indianapolis before going on the IL, he was 1-1, with a 3.71 ERA, 17 strikeouts in 17 innings and a 1.00 WHIP.

Wil Crowe and JT Brubaker are scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, but the Pirates haven't designated a Sunday starter.

Howard improving

Sam Howard (knee) threw in the bullpen Thursday for the first time since going on the injured list last Saturday.

"It sounds like he's feeling better," Shelton said. "He's able to land (his leg). There really weren't any restrictions on it. That's a positive step for us to get him back."

Howard is eligible to come off the IL on Tuesday.

A break for Stallings

Catcher Michael Perez was in the starting lineup Thursday against Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez.

Perez, a left-handed hitter, never has faced Martinez, but Shelton is looking to get regular catcher Jacob Stallings off his feet.

"Stall has been catching a ton. He's a little banged up," Shelton said. "I'm going to try to pick days (off)."

Cruz in the outfield

O'Neil Cruz, who is playing shortstop at Double-A Altoona, has been working in the outfield before games.

"Where it will go is him being able to play multiple positions," Shelton said of the 22-year-old Cruz. "That's something we talked about at the beginning of spring training.

"I think anytime you have the ability to play multiple positions, it's a really good thing for you because we only have eight spots in our lineup.

"Our expectation is you will probably see him play in a game in different positions."

In an effort to avoid injuries, Cruz won't change his throwing technique while he's in the outfield, Shelton said.

"Our message to him is throw the way you throw. The ball comes out of his hand hot, anyway," he said.

"The big part of (the transition) is you have to continue to move your feet. When you see infielders go to the outfield, at times they have a tendency to lay back because you're so far away from the ball.

"The one thing we will talk about is continuing to be athletic and move his feet."

Cruz is hitting .299 with eight home runs, 26 RBIs and a .908 OPS for the Curve.

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry by email at jdipaola@triblive.com or via Twitter .