In another sign of his health, Kuhl (elbow) threw live batting practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Derek Shelton said that it's too soon to talk about whether the team would use Kuhl as a starter or reliever. "We're talking about health right now," Shelton said. Kuhl has been used exclusively as a starter throughout his professional career. The 27-year-old does possess closer velocity and demeanor, however. He ranked seventh in the NL with a 96.3 mph average fastball (min. 80 innings) in 2018.

Kuhl (elbow) was cleared for full participation before he reported to spring training this week, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl didn't see any action in affiliated ball last season while recovering from September 2018 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander hit no unexpected snags in the rehab process, however, as he was cleared to resume throwing off a mound last August, which allowed him to focus on further elbow strengthening over the winter. Kuhl should get a legitimate opportunity to compete for a back-end spot in the Pirates' rotation, though his meager big-league results prior to having the surgery render him little more than a late-round dart throw in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues.

Kuhl (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $840,000 deal with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was Kuhl's first year as an arbitration-eligible player. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2018 and never made it back to game action in 2019, though he was throwing bullpen sessions in August of 2019. He will compete for a rotation spot this spring.

Kuhl (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl continued his work back from Tommy John surgery and threw a 25-pitch bullpen session before Friday's game in Pittsburgh. He threw only fastballs and changeups but reported feeling good after the session. The next step in his progress will include a 30-pitch session in which he will also mix in his slider. While Kuhl will not pitch until the 2020 season, he may be a candidate for the rotation.

Kuhl (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions at the Pirates' spring-training complex in Bradenton, Fla. over the past few weeks, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same applies to Edgar Santana (elbow), who like Kuhl, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Both pitchers previously left the door open for returning late in the 2019 season, but the fact that neither has advanced to facing live hitters yet suggests that may no longer be a realistic goal. Kuhl should head into spring training with few restrictions, however.

Kuhl (elbow) threw off a slope this week, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Teams have slopes at their spring training complexes, which are essentially mini mounds. Kuhl is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but is not expected to return until spring training of 2020.

Kuhl (elbow) is throwing on flat ground at 120 feet, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This marks another step forward for Kuhl, who had been limited to throwing from 90 feet in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to take a 10-day break from throwing within the next two weeks, which is a scheduled part of his rehab, before picking things back up. He's expected to miss the entire 2019 campaign but should be ready for spring training next year.

Kuhl (elbow) recently increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 90 feet, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Both Kuhl and Edgar Santana are at the same stage of their respective recoveries from Tommy John surgery and aren't expected to resume mound work until later in the season. Kuhl is slated to miss the entire 2019 campaign but should report to camp next spring with few restrictions, if any.

Kuhl (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl underwent Tommy John surgery in September and was already ruled out for 2019, so this was a procedural move that was inevitable. The 26-year-old has been playing catch from 75 feet this week as he continues in the early stages of his throwing program.

Kuhl (elbow) has been playing catch from 75 feet this week, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl is still in the early stages of his throwing program as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in September. The Pirates have already ruled him out for 2019, but he could enter spring training next season with few restrictions, if any.