When Ke’Bryan Hayes was placed on the injured list on Monday, it was the last thing the Pittsburgh Pirates needed. Not that he smashed the ball. He didn’t. In 2024, he’s hitting .233/.283/.290 with four home runs, 25 RBI and a 63 OPS+. All but the RBI are career lows. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he had 11 RBI. His current 25 RBI is a season low. Still, this latest news will have implications for the Pirates’ entire lineup and roster.
We have made the following changes to the squad:
• RHP Hunter Stratton recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis
• Selected the contract of OF/1B Billy McKinney from Triple-A Indianapolis
• INF Ke’Bryan Hayes placed on the 10-day injured list
• RHP Ryder Ryan was designated for …
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) 19 August 2024
Hayes’ inclusion on the injured list weakens the Pirates’ already weak lineup
It is inflammation in the lower back that has put Hayes out of action again. Since 2022, he has been on the injured list several times due to back problems. He told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he had difficulty turning due to a disk problem. While Hayes has made no excuses, this undoubtedly has to be a factor in his disappointing performance in 2024. Officially, Hayes is on the 10-day IL. However, one wonders if his stay on the IL could be longer, as the only apparent cure for this recurring problem is extended rest. So let’s look at how this news impacts the Pirates.
Replace Hayes
On Monday, Jared Triolo was in the Pirates’ lineup as third baseman. Defensively, the Pirates don’t lose anything with Triolo. Hayes won a Gold Glove Award in 2023 for his work at third base and probably should have won one in 2022 as well. Triolo won a Minor League Gold Glove in 2021 with High-A Greensboro for his defense at third base.
Still, Triolo’s offense will be a problem. As bad as Hayes was at bat in 2024, he was light years better than Triolo. After a promising rookie season in 2023 in which he batted .298/.388/.398, Triolo is batting .200/.284/.284 in 2024. With Andrew McCutchen placed on the IL last week and Nick Gonzales having been there since July 28, the Pirates’ lineup was already suffering. On Monday, the Pirates’ Nos. 6-9 hitters were Yasmani Grandal, newcomer Billy McKinney, Triolo and Ji Hwan Bae. It was the 2024 major league debut for McKinney, who enters this season with a lifetime batting average of .209. Of the other three, Grandal had the highest batting average at .202.
The only other infield option for the Pirates while Hayes is on the injured list is Alika Williams, who is a weak hitter and has a batting average of .222/.258/.317 in 26 games. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, acquired at the trade deadline, plays second base in Gonzales’ place and hits well.
Gonzales begins rehab
Gonzales went to Triple-A Indianapolis last week to begin rehab soon. That hasn’t started yet, but it looks like he’ll be able to return to the Pirates soon. Due to Kiner-Falefa’s recent good play, Gonzales’ ability to reclaim his spot at second base seemed in jeopardy. With Hayes on the injured list, there will be room for both in the Pirates’ infield. Triolo will return to an all-around role and Williams will likely be called up for Indy.
With the Pirates this season, Gonzales hit .258/.293/.387 with five home runs and 39 RBIs. While that’s just the average offense for a major league second baseman, he has more than enough big hits, as evidenced by a 0.8 WPA, a decent number for someone with only 65 games under his belt. Additionally, he’s a big improvement over Hayes and will, experts say, add depth to the Pirates’ lineup.
The last word
Until then, it’s fair to ask how long the Pirates can hold out with a lineup like Monday’s. They entered Monday’s games 7 ½ games out of the National League’s final wild-card spot, despite six teams ahead of them. Although he has no realistic chance, general manager Ben Cherington is a disciple of Yogi Berra. He makes it seem like it’s never over until it’s over. (What Berra actually said was, “You’re never out until you’re out.”)
So it seems that Cherington prefers experienced players like Triolo and McKinney over inexperienced youngsters. Hard-hitting newcomers Nick Yorke and Billy Cook are really making waves in Indianapolis. They seem to be the preferred options for the infield. Since signing them, however, Cherington has felt they need more time in the minors, admitting only that they “could help” the Pirates sometime in 2024. Rightly or wrongly, Cherington believes in his plan. That could mean some frustrating days for Pirates fans who are tired of watching a struggling offense.
Photo credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
