After playing two games with Altoona, Clint Barmes had his rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Indianapolis on August 18, as he looks to recover from a strained left groin. Barmes was placed on the DL retroactive to June 30.
After five games between the two levels, Barmes is pleased with the progress and reports that he has seen “no setbacks at all.” He is also pleased to have played in back to back games Wednesday and Thursday.
“It feels good at this point,” Barmes said. “This is a back-to-back day for the first time on the rehab. It feels good and I am excited to get back out there [Thursday]…It’s nice to get some at bats and get some timing back. I feel very comfortable now and in the infield as well.”
Along with playing in back-to-back games for the first time on the assignment, Barmes also played the entire game Thursday night for the first time.
On the rehab assignment, Barmes has gotten off to a slow start offensively, as he is 3-for-17 with a strikeout. However, he showed a significant sign of life, as he launched a solo home run to left field in his first at bat on Wednesday.
“[The home run] is always fun because I don’t to do it too often,” Barmes said. “Sometimes you just run into a ball.”
As for the time-table on his comeback to Pittsburgh, Barmes is encouraged by the progress, but is not sure about exactly when the return is coming.
“I honestly really haven’t talked to the trainer up with the big league club, so I am not sure what the plan is exactly,” Barmes said. “I think that we are speeding up the process by playing back-to-back games so early, so that is a good sight. At this point, it’s whenever they need me and what they need.”
Barmes’ rehab assignment was originally planned to last until the end of August.
