February 19, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said that right-hander
Johan Oviedo (elbow) is in the "live BP" phase of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. As far as Tomczyk has seen, Oviedo hasn't had any restrictions so far at spring training as far as what pitches he can and can't throw during his throwing sessions. The 26-year-old didn't pitch at all last year after having TJ surgery in December of 2023, but he's come to camp as a full-go. However, the Pirates are undoubtedly going to take it easy with him in Grapefruit League action, and it still wouldn't be a surprise if he begins the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Once Oviedo does make his 2025 debut, things could be touch and go and he could be on a strict innings limit. Lack of control made Oviedo pretty inconsistent before his injury in 2023, but he could be an option as a deep-league streamer later in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh PG - Noah Hiles
February 13, 2025
According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates right-handed pitcher
Johan Oviedo (elbow) completed a bullpen session on Thursday. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. He underwent the operation in December of 2023 and has been viewed as a "full-go" for spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during camp as he could contend to make the Opening Day rotation. During the 2023 season, Oviedo posted a 4.31 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP across 177 2/3 innings. He held a poor 20.2 percent strikeout rate but was able to generate an above-average 44.6 percent ground-ball rate. If Oviedo can complete his recovery process during spring training, he will contend for a spot in the rotation alongside
Bailey Falter and top prospect
Bubba Chandler. However, given his low strikeout upside, he is best left for deeper NL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Noah Hiles
January 29, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates won their salary arbitration hearing against right-hander
Johan Oviedo (elbow) on Wednesday, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Oviedo will now earn $850,000 in 2025 instead of the $1.15 million that he filed for earlier in January. The 26-year-old is on track to be ready for spring training this year after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. However, the Pirates may take extra caution with the Cuban hurler and ease him into things early on during the regular season because of his long layoff. Oviedo showed flashes for the Bucs in 2023, allowed two or fewer runs 18 times out of his 32 starts while finishing with a 4.31 ERA (4.49 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with a 158:83 K:BB in his 177 2/3 innings thrown. When he struggled, though, the wheels sort of fell off, and he had a league-high 13 hit-by-pitches. He's going to need to improve his control plenty, and that won't be easy coming off TJ surgery.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
May 9, 2024
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Johan Oviedo (elbow) is coming close to the six-month mark in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, which is when he might get final clearance to resume throwing. The clearance could come next week and would be another step toward getting Oviedo ready to pitch next season. The 26-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in early December of last year and will not be available to pitch for the Pirates at all in 2024. The Cuban right-hander made a career-high 32 starts for the Bucs in 2023 and went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA (4.49 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 83 walks and 158 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings pitched. Unsurprisingly, consistency was an issue for Oviedo in his first full season as a starter in the big leagues, and he's going to need to show better command when he returns in 2025 to have any shot at fantasy relevance in single-season leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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