Bolton relayed Wednesday that he's "100 percent perfect" after undergoing surgery last April to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.
Bolton has backed up his own optimism about his health by throwing two live-batting practice sessions in the early stages of the Pirates' minor-league spring training camp in Florida. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league season on account of the COVID-19 pandemic before he suffered the untimely knee injury, Bolton hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since 2019, when he amassed a 3.28 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 102:30 K:BB in 101.2 innings between High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona. After serving as a full-time starter that season, Bolton is expected to begin the 2022 campaign in a middle-relief role as he looks to build up innings and regain comfort on the mound following an extended absence.