The Altoona Curve placed outfielder Logan Hill on the disabled list with a fractured left hand, which occurred on a hit-by-pitch in yesterday’s game.
Hill was promoted to Altoona at the same time Jordan Luplow moved up to Indianapolis. He hit .278/.385/.418 in 22 games for Altoona. Hill sits behind Luplow with the second most homers in the system this year, belting 16 with Bradenton and two with the Curve.
With just over five weeks left in the season, his year is likely over, though Altoona is in a playoff position right now, so they could be playing a couple of weeks longer. Kevin Kramer had a hand fracture on June 10th and still hasn’t returned to action, so the same timetable would mean the end of Hill’s season including possible playoffs. Kramer is in Pirate City now just beginning his rehab process.
In other news from Pirate City, Austin Meadows was scheduled to run the bases this week in Bradenton, which would put him in line to return to action soon. He will begin his rehab games in the Gulf Coast League. He faced live pitching during batting practice today and also went through throwing and conditioning exercises, so he is very close to returning.
Max Kranick threw a bullpen on Friday, then pitched a simulated game on Monday, which he said went well. The sim game was two innings and 35 total pitches. He will throw a bullpen tomorrow and then he is scheduled to make his season debut in the GCL on Monday. That appearance is scheduled for three innings, though he will be capped between 45-50 pitches. The ultimate goal is to get him to Bristol for some starts before the end of the season.
