Kevin

Hart

Hart, 28, hasn’t thrown a pitch in the big leagues since 2009 due to multiple shoulder surgeries. He can opt for free agency.

Hart is expected to meet with Dr. James Andrews at his Birmingham, Alabama office some time in the next week. The 27-year-old righty was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA over his first five outings (four starts) at Triple-A Indianapolis this season. We may not see him again until the spring of 2011.

The surgery will be performed by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. With a timetable of approximately eight to ten months, the Pirates are optimistic that Hart will be ready to pitch by the start of spring training next year.

Hart was the pitcher the O’s surrendered in return for Freddie Bynum last December. He was 12-6 with a 3.99 ERA, 156 H and 131/50 K/BB in 158 IP between Double- and Triple-A. At best, he might be a middle reliever in the majors.

“I like this kid. He’s got a nice arm,” Piniella said. “He competes well. He’s got a good arm, a good cut fastball, a nice little breaking ball. He could be a possibility for the last game in Houston, if we choose.” It sounds like Hart could get the nod on Thursday.

“I like our young kids,” Piniella said. “Are they ready to contribute on an everyday basis? The catcher is. [Kevin] Hart — I like him. He’ll probably pitch in middle relief for us. But I really liked the way he pitched.” Hart has moved ahead of Sean Marshall in the Cubs’ plans for no good reason. Unlike Soto, Pie still isn’t really guaranteed anything. The Cubs publically appear to be leaning towards making him their primary center fielder, but they could yet go in another direction.

German was foolish to sign with the Cubs after being let go by the Royals. There were teams he would have had a legitimate chance of making. The Cubs, on the other hand, have had their bench set since the very beginning of the spring. For that reason, Taguchi also failed to make the team, even though he clearly outplayed Joey Gathright. Hart gets dropped despite a 14/2 K/BB ratio in 9 1/3 innings.

Lilly is battling both shoulder and left knee inflammation, and missed a start last week before being roughed up against Philadelphia last Sunday. He will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which has a recovering timetable of two weeks. As for his shoulder, he likened it to the same injury he experienced in Toronto in 2005. He missed 4-5 starts then, and Lilly indicated he won’t pick a ball up for two weeks. That would put him at a three-to-four week timetable. Reliever Justin Berg has been recalled to take Lilly’s place, with Kevin Hart moving from the bullpen to Lilly’s spot in the rotation. Hart is going today against Cincinnati.

Hart scattered just five hits, the only run scoring on a sacrifice fly by Joey Votto in the first inning. He struck out four and walked a batter in the win, improving his K/BB ratio to 9/16. That obviously isn’t gonna get it done. Combined with the fact that he doesn’t miss many bats, Hart gives up too many flyballs to be effective in the long-term. The early success is nice, but don’t get too excited.

Hart was just optioned back to Iowa on Monday evening, but truly deserved to stay after posting a 1.59 ERA in 5 2/3 innings during the end of June and beginning of July. He’ll get a shot to shine once again in a start Wednesday against the Braves.