Donald Veal will be used as a reliever after recently being promoted to Double-A.

The Pirates still aren't sure whether his long-term role will be as a starter or reliever, but for now he'll work out of the bullpen. Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Veal posted a 4.26 ERA while striking out 10 over 6 1/3 innings for High-A Bradenton before the promotion.

The Pirates have assigned LHP Donald Veal to High-A Bradenton.

Veal is coming back from Tommy John surgery and will work his way back up through the lower minors first. He's unlikely to have a shot to be recalled before the second half.

Donnie Veal (elbow) threw a supervised bullpen session on Tuesday.

Veal underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so he still has a while to go in his rehab. The former top prospect is unlikely to pitch in a competitive game until after the regular season begins.

Donnie Veal (elbow) is expected to be ready for live action in early June.

Veal underwent Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow in the middle of last season and will probably remain idle all spring long as a precautionary measure. "The rehab is going great," Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Monday. "He feels great. The throwing program has gone very well for him. It would be very easy to speed it up, but he needs time to heal."

Pirates re-signed LHP Donnie Veal to a minor league contract.

Veal will miss the first half of the 2011 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The former Rule 5 pick was used as a starter in 2010 before his injury but has pitched out of the bullpen, as well.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington is optimistic about re-signing both Donnie Veal and Brian Burres, who were non-tendered by the team.

Veal is expected to miss the first half of the 2011 season following Tommy John surgery, while Burres made 13 starts for the Bucs in 2010 with mixed results. Neither player is likely to make a significant impact if re-signed.

Pirates non-tendered LHP Donnie Veal.

Veal, 26, underwent Tommy John surgery back in June and is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2011 season. The former Rule 5 pick posted a 4.35 ERA and 41/23 K/BB ratio in nine starts with Triple-A Indianapolis before undergoing the procedure.

Pirates pitching prospect Donnie Veal (elbow) is not expected to be ready for action until the middle of the 2011 season.

Veal underwent Tommy John surgery in June of this season and probably won't be back until July or August of 2011. The 25-year-old had a 4.35 ERA in nine starts with Triple-A Indianapolis before requiring the reconstructive procedure. He should be in the Pirates' starting rotation by 2012.

Pirates pitching prospect Donnie Veal will undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery Friday on his left elbow.

It's too bad. Veal, almost 26, was just beginning to show improvement and probably would have climbed his way to the big leagues at some point this season. The left-hander was 3-2 with a 4.35 ERA, a 41/23 K/BB ratio and a 1.30 WHIP this year in nine starts at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Donnie Veal is scheduled to visit with Dr. James Andrews later this week for a second opinion on his tight left elbow.

Andrews, of course, is known for performing Tommy John surgery and that's exactly what Veal could be facing. He was placed on the minor league disabled list last week after starting the season 3-2 with a 4.35 ERA, a 41/23 K/BB ratio and a 1.30 WHIP for Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates have placed left-handed pitching prospect Donnie Veal on the minor league disabled list with elbow and forearm tightness.

Let's hope it was just a precautionary move, because the flip side of the scenario points to Tommy John surgery. Veal, 25, is 3-2 this year for Triple-A Indianapolis with a 4.35 ERA, 41/23 K/BB ratio and a 1.30 WHIP.