Nick Gonzales Lands on IL with Ankle Fracture: What This Means for the Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that second baseman Nick Gonzales will be on the 10-day injured list due to a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle. To fill his spot, the team has recalled infielder Enmanuel Valdez.

In his debut as a starter on Opening Day, Gonzales went 1-for-3, striking out twice before smashing a two-run homer. However, he limped around the bases, indicating that he was in pain. The Pirates had initially reported “recurrent left ankle discomfort,” suggesting that he may have had this issue before his home run swing, but it clearly became more severe during the game.

Gonzales, selected seventh overall in the 2020 MLB draft, has played parts of three seasons in the majors. In 2021, he hit .209 over 35 games, while last year he improved to a .270 batting average with seven home runs across 387 plate appearances. This made him one of the Pirates’ more productive hitters, behind only Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, and Andrew McCutchen.

With Gonzales out, Adam Frazier will take over the majority of the second base duties. Frazier was signed back on a $1.525 million deal after a difficult run with the Kansas City Royals, where he posted a line of .202/.282/.294. He initially made a name for himself as an All-Star during his first tenure with the Pirates but has struggled offensively since then.

Valdez, picked up from the Boston Red Sox, will serve as a backup to Frazier. He has a career batting average of .235 and is still looking for his first game as a Pirate. Given that both Frazier and Valdez hit left-handed, it’s unlikely they will share platoon duties, with Frazier likely getting the start against Miami’s Connor Gillispie tonight.

In recent discussions, analysts have pointed out that injuries like Gonzales’s can significantly impact a team’s performance, especially when depth is already a concern. Research from MLB reports shows that teams dealing with injuries early in the season often face challenges in maintaining momentum. The Pirates’ situation is a reminder of how quickly a lineup can change, and how players must adapt.

For more on injury impact in sports, you can check out the MLB Injury Report.

Source link

enmanuel valdez,nick gonzales