Hughes nearing return from rehab assignment

PITTSBURGH — Reliever Jared Hughes is back in the Pirates’ clubhouse, but he is not yet ready to rejoin the Bucs’ bullpen.

Hughes joined the Pirates at PNC Park on Friday as the club returned from a 10-day, nine-game road trip through San Diego, Phoenix and Denver. But the right-hander has not officially returned from his Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Sidelined since Spring Training by a strained left lat, Hughes said he felt strong after making four appearances for Indianapolis. He could be activated as soon as Saturday.

Hughes threw two innings on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout. Hughes will be ready to pitch Saturday, manager Clint Hurdle said, if he “passes all the testing he needs to go through” on Friday.

Hughes, who posted a 2.28 ERA over 76 appearances last season, gave up five runs on seven …

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