Ke’Bryan Hayes has been out of the Pirates lineup after hurting his wrist on a swing on the April 3rd matchup against the Cubs. He returned to Pittsburgh for further evaluation last week.
Hayes’ health has improved enough to be taking indoor batting practice off of a high-velocity pitching machine on Wednesday in Detroit. While taking part in the batting practice (an integral part of his rehab assignment), Hayes reaggravated the injury and will miss more time than originally anticipated.
“It’s the same spot,” said Todd Tomczyk, the director of sports medicine for the Pirates. “And he felt it on the same swing when he had to awkwardly extend his wrist as he did during the game in Chicago.”
“He was disappointed,” said manager Derek Shelton. “I think the next step is finding out what we’re going to do, how we’re going to move forward and then address it that way. The main message for him was just stay positive. We’re 19 games into the season.”
Hayes is supposed to be one of the top rookies in baseball this season, but with this setback, it is unknown when he will be back in the fold with the Pirates. Shelton wouldn’t put a timetable on when Hayes could be back, leaving it up to imagination for exactly how long he could be out.
Hayes isn’t the only member of the Pirates out for a considerable amount of time either. Jared Olivia will be out for about four weeks with a left oblique strain.
Since Ke’Bryan has been absent Phillip Evans has been taking care of his spot. He has a .274 BA and .357 OBP, He has put up 17 hits 4 of those being home runs. He also has 6 RBIs on the season.
All pirates fans can do for now is await Hayes’ return and wish him a speedy recovery.