Joey Bart’s foot infection has put his return in question, while the Pirates also shared updates on Jake Mangum, Chris Devenski, and more.
A foot infection has thrown a wrench into Joey Bart’s momentum, leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates with an uncertain timeline for when their catcher can return.
Bart was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. coming off a strong stretch at the plate in which he hit .400 over his previous six games.. On Thursday. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said there is currently no set schedule for Bart’s potential return to action. emphasizing that the next steps depend on how his body responds.
“Still to be determined,” Tomczyk said at PNC Park, explaining that doctors are monitoring reactions to treatment, including the initial doses of IV antibiotics. While the club is hopeful it will be sooner rather than later, Tomczyk stressed that it is too early to project a specific outcome.
The update also clarified how Bart’s issue began.. Tomczyk said the 29-year-old catcher did not suffer his injury during a game.. Instead, he noticed discoloration and swelling in his foot and promptly alerted head athletic trainer Luke Novosel.. Tomczyk added that this kind of problem can surface in professional sports environments. where athletes are frequently sweating and working around dirt.
At the time of the injury, Bart’s season line over 21 games showed .259/.290/.379 with two home runs and six RBIs. The Pirates now face the challenge of keeping offensive continuity while Bart recovers.
Meanwhile, the medical staff also provided an update on outfielder Jake Mangum, who has been on the injured list since May 8 with a hamstring strain. Tomczyk said Mangum is “headed in the right direction” and that he has resumed all baseball activities.
Mangum. 30. was hitting .260 with three RBIs and two doubles and had seen action across all three outfield spots when the injury occurred.. Tomczyk said Mangum responded well to early stress from the performance team and that the club expects to ramp up the intensity and volume of his running work in the coming days.
Those changes will be coordinated with team decision-makers, as Tomczyk described conversations scheduled with Donnie, Ben, and the rest of the organization about the next steps.
The Pirates also addressed reliever Chris Devenski, who is dealing with an undisclosed illness.. Tomczyk said Devenski has resumed all baseball activities. including playing catch and throwing a bullpen. and that the club is monitoring his recovery after the latest work.. Devenski remains under the care of local physicians in Pittsburgh. and the team indicated he has upcoming appointments in the coming days and into early next week.
On the field this season with the Pirates, Devenski has posted a 7.71 ERA across three appearances. Even with that brief sample, the tone of the update was cautiously optimistic, with Tomczyk stating Devenski is trending in a positive direction toward returning.
Beyond the major-league roster, the organization’s injury pipeline continues to be shaped by rehab and surgery timelines in the minor leagues.
Triple-A shortstop Mitch Jebb is expected to resume some baseball activities in about 10 weeks after undergoing surgery for a fractured left thumb in late April. That milestone will be important for a player working his way back to full workload.
Left-handed pitcher Anthony Solometo also remains in a rehabilitation window after surgery on his throwing shoulder. Tomczyk said the operation was part of ongoing issues that have cost Solometo the majority of the 2025 season.
Solometo, once viewed as the Pirates’ No.. 4 overall prospect. reached Double-A Altoona in 2023 but has not managed to progress further in the minors due to a mix of injuries and performance challenges.. His recovery will be closely watched as the organization looks to restore depth to its pitching ranks.
For now. the biggest question for Pittsburgh is the catcher position. where Bart’s treatment response will determine the pace of his comeback.. With no timetable in place and IV antibiotics as a central part of the plan. the Pirates will likely continue to adjust day-to-day while keeping a close eye on how his foot responds to treatment.
Joey Bart foot infection Pittsburgh Pirates injured list Todd Tomczyk update Jake Mangum hamstring Chris Devenski illness Mitch Jebb thumb surgery Anthony Solometo shoulder surgery