{"id":83575,"date":"2024-08-20T00:14:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T04:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=83575"},"modified":"2024-08-20T00:14:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T04:14:08","slug":"pirates-hayes-injured-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/20\/pirates-hayes-injured-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Addition to Injured List Weakens an Already-Weak Pirates Lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hayeske01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes<\/a> was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.post-gazette.com\/sports\/pirates\/2024\/08\/19\/kebryan-hayes-injured-list-pittsburgh-pirates-mlb-injury-news-rumors\/stories\/202408190045\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">placed on the injured list<\/a> on Monday, it was the last thing the Pittsburgh Pirates needed. Not that he was mashing the ball. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/06\/21\/pirates-hayes-lower-batting-order\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">He wasn\u2019t<\/a>. In 2024, he\u2019s hitting .233\/.283\/.290 with four home runs, 25 RBI, and 63 OPS+. All are career lows, except for the RBI. He had 11 RBI in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. His present 25 RBI is a full-season low. Even so, this latest news will have repercussions throughout the Pirates lineup and roster.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">We have made the following roster moves:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Recalled RHP Hunter Stratton from Triple-A Indianapolis<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Selected the contract of OF\/1B Billy McKinney from Triple-A Indianapolis<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Placed INF Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes on the 10-day injured list<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Designated RHP Ryder Ryan for\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Pirates\/status\/1825632242661576708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 19, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Hayes&#8217;s Addition to Injured List Weakens an Already-Weak Pirates Lineup<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s lower back inflammation that\u2019s once again keeping Hayes out of action. Since 2022, he\u2019s been on the injured list with back issues several times. He told Jason Mackey of the <em>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<\/em> that he\u2019s had difficulty turning due to a disc problem. Although Hayes hasn\u2019t made excuses, this undoubtedly must be a factor in his underwhelming performance in 2024. Officially, Hayes is on the 10-day IL. However, one wonders whether his stay on the IL may be longer, given that the only apparent cure for this recurring issue is an extended rest period. Thus, let\u2019s look at how this news affects the Pirates.<\/p>\n<h3>Replacing Hayes<\/h3>\n<p>On Monday, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/triolja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jared Triolo<\/a> was in the Pirates lineup as the starting third baseman. Defensively, the Pirates lose nothing with Triolo there. Hayes won a Gold Glove Award for his work at third base in 2023 and probably should have won one in 2022 as well. Triolo won a minor league Gold Glove for his defense at third base in 2021 while with High-A Greensboro.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, it\u2019s Triolo\u2019s offense that will be an issue. For as poorly as Hayes has performed at bat in 2024, he\u2019s been light years better than Triolo. After a promising rookie season in 2023 when he hit .298\/.388\/.398, Triolo is hitting .200\/.284\/.284 in 2024. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccutan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew McCutchen<\/a> having been <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/17\/pirates-mccutchen-injured-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">placed on the IL<\/a> last week and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gonzani01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Gonzales<\/a> there since July 28, the Pirates lineup was already suffering. On Monday, the Pirates\u2019 Nos. 6-9 hitters were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grandya01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yasmani Grandal<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/18\/pirates-select-billy-mckinney\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">new addition<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mckinbi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Billy McKinney<\/a>, Triolo, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baeji01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ji Hwan Bae<\/a>. It was the 2024 major league debut for McKinney, a .209 lifetime hitter entering this season. Of the other three, Grandal had the highest batting average at .202.<\/p>\n<p>The only other infield option for the Pirates while Hayes languishes on the injured list is light-hitting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willial04.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alika Williams<\/a>, who\u2019s batting .222\/.258\/.317 in 26 games. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kineris01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/07\/30\/pirates-acquire-blue-jays-utility-player\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">acquired<\/a> at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/07\/31\/pirates-2024-trade-deadline-grades\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">trade deadline<\/a>, is playing second base in Gonzales\u2019 stead and hitting well.<\/p>\n<h3>Gonzales to Begin Rehab<\/h3>\n<p>Gonzales went to Triple-A Indianapolis last week in anticipation of beginning a rehab assignment soon. That has yet to begin, but it seems he should be ready to rejoin the Pirates shortly. Due to the recent fine play by Kiner-Falefa, Gonzales\u2019 ability to reclaim his second base spot seemed in jeopardy. With Hayes on the injured list, there will be room in the Pirates infield for both. Triolo will return to a utility role and Williams likely will be ticketed for Indy.<\/p>\n<p>With the Pirates this season, Gonzales hit .258\/.293\/.387 with five HR and 39 RBI. That\u2019s only major-league average offense for a second baseman, but it includes more than his fair share of big hits, as evidenced by a 0.8 WPA, a decent figure for one with just 65 games under his belt. Furthermore, he\u2019s a big improvement over Hayes, and, as the talking heads say, will lengthen the Pirates&#8217; lineup.<\/p>\n<h3>The Last Word<\/h3>\n<p>Until then, it\u2019s fair to question how long the Pirates can stick with a lineup like the one posted on Monday. They entered Monday\u2019s action 7 \u00bd games out of the final National League Wild Card spot with six teams ahead of them. Despite the lack of any realistic chance, general manager Ben Cherington is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/berrayo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yogi Berra<\/a> disciple. He\u2019s proceeding as though it\u2019s never over till it\u2019s over. (What Berra actually said was, \u201cYou\u2019re never out of it till you\u2019re out of it.\u201d)<\/p>\n<p>Thus, it seems that Cherington prefers experienced players like Triolo and McKinney over inexperienced prospects. Hot-hitting recent acquisitions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=yorke-000nic&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Yorke<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=cook--000bil&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-08-19_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Billy Cook<\/a> are tearing it up at Indianapolis. They would seem to be preferable infield alternatives. However, since acquiring them, Cherington has felt that they need more time in the minors, allowing only that they \u201ccould\u201d help the Pirates at some point in 2024. Rightly or wrongly, Cherington believes in his plan. That could mean some frustrating days ahead for Pirates fans weary of watching a struggling offense.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes was placed on the injured list on Monday, it was the last thing the Pittsburgh Pirates needed. Not that he was mashing the ball. He wasn\u2019t. In 2024, he\u2019s hitting .233\/.283\/.290 with four home runs, 25 RBI, and 63 OPS+. All are career lows, except for the RBI. He had 11 RBI [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5010,"featured_media":83585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,1071],"tags":[3617,610,3215,3306,4809,6463,3070,3605,28666,2750],"class_list":["post-83575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pirates","category-mlb","tag-alika-williams","tag-andrew-mccutchen","tag-ben-cherington","tag-billy-mckinney","tag-isiah-kiner-falefa","tag-jared-triolo","tag-kebryan-hayes","tag-nick-gonzales","tag-nick-yorke","tag-yogi-berra"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5010"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}