In the world of professional baseball, the journey to success is often marked by challenges and setbacks. For Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-handed relief pitcher Colin Holderman, the start of the 2024 season has been anything but smooth sailing. Hindered by a debilitating illness that swept through the Pirates clubhouse during spring training, Holderman found himself facing a formidable opponent off the field. Due to a severe bout with a “flu-like illness”, Holderman will start 2024 with a rehab stint in Indianapolis. This news came after Holderman had been placed on the 15-day injured list due to the illness.
As detailed in a report by the Post-Gazette, Holderman’s battle with illness was not to be taken lightly. The pitcher endured a high fever and a significant loss of weight. In fact, Holderman recounted his struggle, stating, “Had a rough go of it… Had a fever for about seven days. We’re trying to claw back.” Despite the challenges he faced, Holderman remained focused on his recovery, working to regain his strength and return to peak performance.
The official press release from the team is as follows:
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that right-handed relief pitcher Colin Holderman will begin a rehab assignment with the Indianapolis Indians as they open their 2024 season tonight at Louisville. Holderman is the first major league rehabber assigned to Indy this season.
Holderman, 28, was placed on the 15-day injured list (illness) on March 28 (retroactive to March 25) . He appeared in four spring contests from Feb. 28-March 12 and recorded eight strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched. Holderman went 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA (24er/56.0ip) and 58 strikeouts in 58 appearances with Pittsburgh in 2023.
The Bourbannais, Ill. native appeared in three games with Indianapolis in 2022 after being traded to Pittsburgh from New York (NL) on July 22, 2022, in exchange for cash. He was originally selected by the Mets in the ninth round (280th overall) of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Heartland Community College (Normal, Ill.).