CHICAGO -- There was about a half-hour of optimism for the Pirates regarding Ke’Bryan Hayes' wrist injury, but the team ultimately decided Sunday to place their star third baseman the injured list .
Hayes exited Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Cubs with left wrist discomfort before taking his at-bat in the third inning. Derek Shelton said the IL decision came after some pregame work that occurred while the manager initially told the media that Hayes would just be day-to-day. Shelton confirmed reports that x-rays on the wrist were negative and added that an MRI did reveal some inflammation, but the developments after the pregame workouts caused a change of heart.
"We ran him through some baseball activities, it was just the squeezing of the glove," Shelton said. "Because of that we decided that 10 days was probably more worthwhile."
Wilmer Difo was activated from the taxi squad to take Hayes' place on the roster ahead of the series’ rubber match at Wrigley Field. Tyler Bashlor has been designated for assignment as part of a corresponding move to include Difo on the 40-man roster. Todd Frazier could be a candidate for a roster spot with Hayes out. But he is at the club's alternate site in Pittsburgh and will need time to pass through intake and probably won't be available until Thursday's home opener.
Hayes seemed to have felt the initial sting in his wrist on a foul ball during his only plate appearance against Jake Arrieta on Saturday. He stayed in the game to draw a walk and was checked out by trainers after aggravating the wrist while diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt.
Shelton let Hayes take the field twice before calling on Erik Gonzalez to pinch hit for Hayes in the third. Phillip Evans will occupy Hayes’ spot in the field Sunday and bat fifth. Kevin Newman, who singled to drive home Hayes for the Pirates’ only run Saturday, bats in Hayes’ usual No. 2 spot in the finale.
• Kyle Crick returned from paternity leave following the birth of his daughter Kolly. He’ll be available Sunday but Shelton is in no hurry to get him into a game. Wil Crowe was optioned to the alternate site upon Crick’s arrival. Crick struck out 10 over 6.2 spring innings and held a 1.35 ERA. Crowe struggled with command in his Pirates debut Saturday and allowed a run on two walks and a hit.
• JT Brubaker opens the series for the Pirates against the Reds in Cincinnati on Monday. The Springfield, Ohio, native, gave up nine runs in 15 innings this spring. But he put forth his best outing in the Buccos’ last Grapefruit League game, in which he retired his final 14 opponents in a row with four strikeouts.
Brubaker made his major league debut during the pandemic-shortened season and posted a 4.94 ERA over 47.1 innings. That first foray into the majors restored Brubaker’s self-confidence on the mound.
“I can get guys out with my stuff. I don't have to be someone different than what I was coming up through the minor leagues,” Brubaker said. “I don't have to do anything different. I just have to go at them, and just make sure I'm over the plate and not to get too fine east and west.”
• Michael Perez will see his first action of the season as the Pirates opted to give Jacob Stallings the day off from behind the plate. David Ross did not make the same move for the Cubs, so Perez won’t be sharing a field with the man he beat out for the Pirates job, Tony Wolters, who now backs up Willson Contreras.