Pirates general manager Neal Huntington reiterated Monday that Wandy Rodriguez (elbow) remains on track for spring training. Rodriguez was shut down in September due to arthritis in his elbow, but didn't require surgery. Huntington said that he's in the early stages of his throwing program, but feels good. The 34-year-old exercised a $13 million player option following the season and should be a part of the Pirates' rotation in 2014 if healthy.

Pirates LHP Wandy Rodriguez exercised his $13 million option for 2014. If Rodriguez ended the season healthy, he likely would have declined the option and looked for a multi-year deal. As it is, with him ending the year with elbow and forearm problems, it makes sense for him to take the guaranteed money. The Pirates expect him to be healthy for spring training.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Sunday that he expects Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) to be ready for the start of spring training. The Pirates decided on Saturday to shut Rodriguez down for the season, but they think he'll be fine after some rest and rehab over the winter. The lefty holds a $13 million player option for 2014 that he says he's unsure about exercising, but ultimately he seems likely to do so.

The Pirates have shut down Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) for the remainder of the 2013 season. It sounds as though Rodriguez's injured arm didn't respond well after throwing 67 pitches in a simulated game on Thursday. It's a tough break for the Pirates, who had hoped to get him back for the stretch run as they make a push towards the postseason. The 34-year-old southpaw finishes the year 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 46/12 K/BB ratio over 62 2/3 innings.

Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) threw 67 pitches in a five-inning simulated game on Thursday. The Pirates will likely decide on Saturday whether or not to activate Rodriguez from the disabled list, depending on how his arm is feeling. The veteran left-hander has been sidelined since June 6 due to tightness in his forearm.

Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Thursday. The session will take place at PNC Park and is expected to last between 65-70 pitches. Rodriguez felt soreness after his rehab start on Friday, an unfortunate setback for a hurler desperately trying to return to a pennant race. At this point, a best-case scenario would involve a return to the bullpen later this month. Rodriguez has a $13 million player option for 2014, with the Pirates being responsible for $7.5 million of that total.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) felt "a little sore" after his rehab start Friday. The Pirates will wait to see how he feels on Sunday before determining the next step for the left-hander. It's possible he could make another rehab start if he feels up to it. Rodriguez could be activated this month, but he almost surely won't be used as a starter.

Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) fared well during his rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in his three innings of work. Rodriguez struck out one in the game and didn't walk a batter. He threw a total of 48 pitches, 35 of them for strikes. It's unclear what the next step in his recovery process will be, but it shouldn't be long before he returns to the Pirates rotation, which would be a big boost as they push towards the postseason.

Wandy Rodriguez (elbow, forearm) is scheduled to make a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Indianapolis. It will be the third game of a five-game Triple-A playoff series against the Durham Bulls (Rays), so Indianapolis will be hoping for some decent results. Wandy is expected to throw around 50 pitches, or three total innings. It's not clear what the plan is after that.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Wandy Rodriguez (forearm, elbow) threw his best bullpen session yet on Tuesday. "First time that he's thrown and said at the end, there's nothing there," Hurdle said. It's certainly a step in the right direction, but Rodriguez still has a ways to go. If he does make it back later this month, it figures to be as a reliever.