Josh Harrison, speaking to reporters for the first time since learning he broke his left hand on a hit-by-pitch Sunday in Miami, again made it clear he does not intend to stop stepping toward the plate when a pitcher delivers. However, the Pirates' second baseman will try to find a way to better equip himself for pitchers throwing inside.
Harrison, who is on the disabled list after breaking the bone below the pinkie on the outside of his left hand, plans to explore using a new batting glove or some sort of protection on the back of his hand. After all, he broke the same bone last September on his 23rd hit-by-pitch, which prematurely ended his season after 128 games and an All-Star Game appearance.
Instead of changing his approach, Harrison wants pitchers and catchers to rethink theirs.
"As far as what I do at the plate, I don’t necessarily want to change what I do, because I don’t think I have to change much," he said Tuesday afternoon at PNC Park. "I just think it’s at a point with pitchers if you can’t command in, catchers don’t call it, especially up and in. You can call in, but if you call up and in with a guy who can’t command it, a situation like this happens."
Harrison, 30, was hit Sunday at Marlins Park with a 96-mph four-seam fastball by the Marlins' Jose Ureña, a promising right-handed starting pitcher who was tied for the league lead with 14 hit batsmen last season. Chad Wallach had framed inside pitches to Harrison in each of his two at-bats during the Pirates' 7-3 win.
The first at-bat ended with a fly out to left; however, Ureña missed his spot in the third inning, throwing a fastball that glanced off Harrison's elbow guard and struck him on the hand. Harrison squirmed and appeared to be in pain when head athletic trainer Bryan Housand grabbed the hand, and he was replaced by Adam Frazier moments later. Harrison was batting .263 in 13 games this season with two doubles, one home run and five RBIs.
"The men in the locker room have been through this before,” Hurdle said of dealing with having a teammate injured. “Things happen. It challenges your depth and gives somebody else an opportunity to step forward. We’re built well for that.”
Ivan Nova then hit the Marlins' first batter in the bottom of the third inning, JB Shuck, with a fastball on the right hip. Marlins reliever Odrisamer Despaigne struck Francisco Cervelli on the back of the left hand in the seventh inning, although Cervelli remained in the game and home-plate umpire Andy Fletcher determined there was no ill-intent with the hit-by-pitch.
Nova declined comment following the game, but Harrison said one of his pitchers choosing to retaliate was a welcome change from last season.
"It was something I felt we lacked last year," he said. "I got hit 23 times, and I think the 24th one is the one we finally decided to retaliate. I said I’m not trying to get anyone hurt, but I have a family. I have kids. I want to play this game as long as possible."
Harrison was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday and is expected to miss approximately six weeks. He is unable to swing a bat or use his left hand to play catch, but he is doing lower-body workouts, running and will work on arm strength by playing catch with someone else catching for him.
Sean Rodriguez is starting at second base and batting leadoff Tuesday against the Rockies, with Frazier and Max Moroff on the bench.
Harrison said he had "a feeling" the hand was broken as soon as he got hit, since he broke the same bone last season. He expressed confidence he'll be ready to return at the six-week mark, and he's determined to stay involved and remain sharp to help his teammates upon his return.
"I have to find a silver lining in it somehow," he said. "Got to keep bringing my energy because I can come back from this and still play. Last year, I knew I wasn’t coming back until the 2018 season. I have to stay in tune, I have to stay ready and be here for my guys."
