Another man down
Outfielder Ben Gamel hits the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury.
CINCINNATI — Colin Moran has had to resist the urge to feel snake-bitten or unlucky this season.
It’s hard to blame the Pirates first baseman given what he has experienced.
There has been a left groin strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list earlier this year. Then finger and lower-back issues that also caused him to miss some games. And lately, a left wrist bone fracture that knocked him out of 30 more.
The Pirates activated Moran Friday before a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, sending Ben Gamel to the injured list with a right hamstring strain in the process.
“It’s been frustrating,” Moran said of being injured so much. “At the same time, stuff happens. I’m just trying to look forward and not dwell too much on being out.”
There are a few tentacles to Moran’s return, but let’s start with the simplest one — Moran himself.
Before this freakish run of injuries, Moran was actually one of the team’s most productive hitters. He slashed .297/.352/.468 through his first 32 games (30 starts), including 7 doubles, 4 home runs and 19 RBIs.
The chatter surrounding Moran at that point started to include whether he may have played his way into a trade candidate. It made sense, too.
Finally the Pirates’ primary first baseman, Moran looked comfortable, like the perfect bridge to Mason Martin.
With Adam Frazier, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds a productive 1-2-3, Moran certainly extended the lineup.
In Moran’s absence, Erik Gonzalez, Phillip Evans and John Nogowski have seen time at first base, the latter likely to get some time in the outfield now with Moran back.
As for Moran, his goal over the balance of the season will become staying healthy and finding some semblance of a routine.
“I just want to play hard and help us win,” Moran said. “Every time you can go out in the big leagues, it’s important. I’mtrying to lock it in.”
Another important component here becomes how a roster spot was available, with Gamel’s injury. Similar to Moran, the move is retroactive to Aug. 5.
Gamel, claimed when the Indians designated him for assignment early this season, has been a solid addition to the Pirates, hitting safely in 21 of 25 starts since July 1, hitting .330 with a .947 OPS during that time.
It will be interesting to see what the Pirates do in the outfield with Gamel out. Obviously Reynolds will play. Gregory Polanco has been better lately, too.
Do the Pirates take a look at Anthony Alford or Cole Tucker? Would make sense.
It also stands to reason that Hoy Park gets some time, although he was out of the lineup Friday with the Reds starting left-hander Wade Miley. Phillip Evans was starting in left field.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Ka’ai Tom ran the bases Friday and would start a rehabilitation assignment in the “short term.” Plus, there’s Nogowski.
“We knew that when we acquired him that he had the ability to go in the outfield also,” Shelton said of Nogowski, who began Friday’s game with just eight hits in his previous 51 atbats (.157).
The hope here is that the Pirates do more than lean on
Nogowski. They should use the playing time in a way that matters, whether that’s giving Alford another chance, seeing what Tucker has or letting Park get his feet wet.
Alford’s hitting .338 with a 1.099 OPS since June 1. Among Class AAA East leaders, he’s top 10 in most offensive categories.
But the focal point for now remains Moran and getting an important bat back into the lineup, a return that’s long overdue.
The best thing that can happen now is for Moran to get comfortable, enjoy a stretch of games and produce. Then the Pirates can re-evaluate their future at first base this offseason.
“It was in a tricky spot in the wrist where it was just kind of taking a little more time to get comfortable,” Moran said. “Just happy to be back now. It feels good to be playing baseball again.”
Revisiting Reynolds
There was plenty of talk Thursday about Bryan Reynolds’ defense and justifiably so — as evidenced by his catch robbing Tyler Naquin on a home run.
Reynolds, who’s one of just three MLB center fielders worth 8 Outs Above Average according to Baseball Savant, also has fared well with traditionalnumbers.
Since moving to center field full time on April 22, Reynolds has a .990 fielding percentage, which ranks second among all MLB players with at least 600 innings played at that position.
When looking at overall Wins Above Replacement (WAR), per FanGraphs, Reynolds is 13th among all MLB players at 3.8, trailing Carlos Correa (3.9) and Bryce Harper (3.7).