It's possible the Pirates may have to move forward, at least in the near future, without yet another key fixture in their starting lineup. JoeyBart, the walk-off hero in Wednesday's win against the Cardinals, exited tonight's game in the second inning with low back discomfort. He was replaced behind the plate by Endy Rodriguez after his back locked up on a swing he took in the first inning, according to Derek Shelton.
"It was kind of a little check swing," Shelton explained. "He went out in the bottom of the first and even in throwing the ball back to the pitcher, it just didn't look right. When he came in, he was like, 'Hey, I'm locked up.' When he went into the cage to swing, he wasn't in a good spot."
Shelton said the injury isn't connected to the collision Bart had with Rodriguez near home plate on Wednesday. The two hit each other pretty hard, but remained in the game afterwards.
Bart is just the latest addition to the list of players dealing with injury issues. That list includes the likes of Spencer Horwitz, Nick Gonzales, Jared Triolo, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds. Cruz has missed the last two games after being hit by a pitch in the finger earlier this week, but it doesn't seem like there's any long-term concern there. Reynolds has dealt with a shoulder ailment and has been limited to designated hitter duties, forcing the Pirates to have to use Andrew McCutchen in the field at times.
•Bailey Falter continues to struggle at Great American Ball Park. In allowing three earned runs tonight, he's now surrendered 21 earned runs in 19 2/3 career innings in Cincinnati.
• Falter, Chase Shugart and Joey Wentz combined for seven strikeouts tonight, bringing the pitching staff's total to 123 this season. That matches the 2024 and 1999 teams for the fifth-most through the club's first 14 games of a season since 1901.
• Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier provided the run support for the Pirates tonight. Pham doubled in a run to break up Brady Singer's no-hit bid in the fifth inning and Frazier followed with a two-run home run, his first of the season and first as a member of the Pirates since June 24, 2021. Frazier has now hit 40 homers in a Pirates uniform.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
José Negron
2:57 am - 04.12.2025CincinnatiExtra Bases: Bart (back) exits early
It's possible the Pirates may have to move forward, at least in the near future, without yet another key fixture in their starting lineup. Joey Bart, the walk-off hero in Wednesday's win against the Cardinals, exited tonight's game in the second inning with low back discomfort. He was replaced behind the plate by Endy Rodriguez after his back locked up on a swing he took in the first inning, according to Derek Shelton.
"It was kind of a little check swing," Shelton explained. "He went out in the bottom of the first and even in throwing the ball back to the pitcher, it just didn't look right. When he came in, he was like, 'Hey, I'm locked up.' When he went into the cage to swing, he wasn't in a good spot."
Shelton said the injury isn't connected to the collision Bart had with Rodriguez near home plate on Wednesday. The two hit each other pretty hard, but remained in the game afterwards.
Bart is just the latest addition to the list of players dealing with injury issues. That list includes the likes of Spencer Horwitz, Nick Gonzales, Jared Triolo, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds. Cruz has missed the last two games after being hit by a pitch in the finger earlier this week, but it doesn't seem like there's any long-term concern there. Reynolds has dealt with a shoulder ailment and has been limited to designated hitter duties, forcing the Pirates to have to use Andrew McCutchen in the field at times.
• Bailey Falter continues to struggle at Great American Ball Park. In allowing three earned runs tonight, he's now surrendered 21 earned runs in 19 2/3 career innings in Cincinnati.
• Falter, Chase Shugart and Joey Wentz combined for seven strikeouts tonight, bringing the pitching staff's total to 123 this season. That matches the 2024 and 1999 teams for the fifth-most through the club's first 14 games of a season since 1901.
• Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier provided the run support for the Pirates tonight. Pham doubled in a run to break up Brady Singer's no-hit bid in the fifth inning and Frazier followed with a two-run home run, his first of the season and first as a member of the Pirates since June 24, 2021. Frazier has now hit 40 homers in a Pirates uniform.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!