Jared Triolo didn't need long in Indianapolis to feel like he was "back to normal" after suffering a lumbar spine strain earlier this month that placed him on the 10-day IL.
The utility Gold Glove award winner made the trip to Indianapolis on Monday for a rehab assignment, hit a home run in his first at-bat and finished 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs before returning to Pittsburgh this morning in time to play in tonight's game against the Nationals and start at second.
"It was obviously good to get out there and play a game and see some guys from spring training," Triolo said.
In a corresponding move, the Pirates sent Tsung-Che Cheng back down to Indianapolis. Triolo's return to the major-league level, provides the Pirates with major-league defensive depth as he can play everywhere in the infield and also a more experienced bat in the lineup. He'll act as Isiah Kiner-Falefa's backup at shortstop, but will also see time at second, first and third, if Ke'Bryan Hayes is in need of a day off.
Enmanuel Valdez has played first base since Endy Rodriguez (finger) was placed on the 10-day IL, but has gone through growing pains of learning the position. Valdez and Triolo can be interchangeable at first and second and when asked how he will approach that this afternoon, Derek Shelton said Triolo will probably see more time at second than first.
"I think in the middle of the diamond we're gonna try and keep the better defender," Shelton said. "Tri's an elite defender, so I think that's one of the things that led to that decision."
Triolo has slowly been working his way back since being placed on the IL and went through drills on the field at PNC Park on Monday before heading to Indianapolis. I asked Shelton if it was always the plan for him to play just one game before being activated and he said they wanted to see how Triolo's back reacted to the increased activities.
"We wanted to send him down, he had to run the bases. There were some things that he hadn't done yet. The fact that it was such a short time down, that it was just 10 days, we were pretty confident once he went through the workout yesterday and talking with (Indianapolis manager Chris) Truby with how he felt and we thought alright we can get him back."
Before heading to the IL, Triolo tallied just one hit in 17 at-bats and walked once while striking out five times.
Here's Shelton's full media availability from this afternoon:
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
6:58 pm - 04.16.2025North ShoreTriolo activated, Cheng sent down
Jared Triolo didn't need long in Indianapolis to feel like he was "back to normal" after suffering a lumbar spine strain earlier this month that placed him on the 10-day IL.
The utility Gold Glove award winner made the trip to Indianapolis on Monday for a rehab assignment, hit a home run in his first at-bat and finished 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs before returning to Pittsburgh this morning in time to play in tonight's game against the Nationals and start at second.
"It was obviously good to get out there and play a game and see some guys from spring training," Triolo said.
In a corresponding move, the Pirates sent Tsung-Che Cheng back down to Indianapolis. Triolo's return to the major-league level, provides the Pirates with major-league defensive depth as he can play everywhere in the infield and also a more experienced bat in the lineup. He'll act as Isiah Kiner-Falefa's backup at shortstop, but will also see time at second, first and third, if Ke'Bryan Hayes is in need of a day off.
Enmanuel Valdez has played first base since Endy Rodriguez (finger) was placed on the 10-day IL, but has gone through growing pains of learning the position. Valdez and Triolo can be interchangeable at first and second and when asked how he will approach that this afternoon, Derek Shelton said Triolo will probably see more time at second than first.
"I think in the middle of the diamond we're gonna try and keep the better defender," Shelton said. "Tri's an elite defender, so I think that's one of the things that led to that decision."
Triolo has slowly been working his way back since being placed on the IL and went through drills on the field at PNC Park on Monday before heading to Indianapolis. I asked Shelton if it was always the plan for him to play just one game before being activated and he said they wanted to see how Triolo's back reacted to the increased activities.
"We wanted to send him down, he had to run the bases. There were some things that he hadn't done yet. The fact that it was such a short time down, that it was just 10 days, we were pretty confident once he went through the workout yesterday and talking with (Indianapolis manager Chris) Truby with how he felt and we thought alright we can get him back."
Before heading to the IL, Triolo tallied just one hit in 17 at-bats and walked once while striking out five times.
Here's Shelton's full media availability from this afternoon:
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