Shortridge began throwing in simulated games in April and has now been cleared to appear in minor-league games as part of a rehab assignment. Now that the right-hander is near the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in January of 2021, he'll likely report to High-A Greensboro or Double-A Altoona once he's deemed fully healthy.

Since the 2020 minor-league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before he underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure last winter, Shortridge hasn't made an appearance in affiliated ball since August 2019. A fourth-round draft pick in 2018, Shortridge has pitched well when healthy during his brief professional career, as he submitted a 3.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 135.2 innings at High-A Bradenton in his last full season. Assuming he avoids any further setbacks in the weeks to come, Shortridge is projected to make his return to game action at either the rookie-level Florida Complex League or at Bradenton, which became Pittsburgh's Low-A affiliate in 2021.