Koehler will be shut down for the season after experiencing yet another setback with his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. After undergoing the procedure last July, Koehler didn't pitch in affiliated ball for a full year before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League earlier this month. He ultimately made just four appearances before the shoulder acted up again, resulting in a second consecutive lost season for the righty reliever. Given that he'll enter his age-34 season in 2020 with significant health concerns, the odds are against Koehler resurfacing in the big leagues again.

After a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery, Koehler returned to action last week at the rookie-ball level, making three abbreviated appearances. Koehler came out of the rehab stint no worse for the wear, so he'll now gain clearance for regular relief duty at Altoona. If Koehler finds some early success, it wouldn't be surprising if he were eventually moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis, which could set the stage for him to join the Pirates as a September callup. The 33-year-old owns a 4.39 ERA and 6.9 K/9 across 161 career appearances (133 starts) over parts of six seasons in the big leagues.

Koehler didn't look particularly good in the outing, but he was likely just elated to be back on the mound after having not logged any competitive action since spring training in 2018. Considering that he posted a 6.69 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 72.2 innings during his last MLB season in 2017 and is now on the comeback trail following a lengthy shutdown due to shoulder surgery, the 33-year-old will face an uphill battle to make it back to the majors.

The right-hander missed all of 2018 due to a shoulder injury initially incurred during spring training. However, the Pirates were willing to take a flier on him despite the health woes and his middling 4.39 ERA in his career. Koehler is expected to spend much of the 2019 campaign rehabbing from the shoulder surgery he underwent last July, but he could offer some rotation depth later in the season if he proves to be effective upon his return.