Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Contreras (forearm) recently faced hitters in a live batting practice session, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.
Contreras is scheduled to throw another live BP this week before he's cleared to return to game action. The Pirates could send Contreras out on a brief rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League to have him build up his pitch count before he returns from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Altoona. Over his nine starts with Altoona prior to being shut down with a right forearm strain, Contreras posted a 2.35 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 65:11 K:BB In 46 innings.