Pirates.com reports that Dr. James Andrews will examine Donnie Veal, who recently hit the minor league disabled list with elbow soreness, to see whether he needs surgery. A visit to Dr. Andrews is never a good thing.

Veal, who the Pirates acquired in the Rule 5 draft before the 2009 season and who pitched in their bullpen last year, had become one of the Pirates' better pitching prospects after heading back to the minors this year to transition back to starting.