The Pirates placed outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez on the 10-day injured list today before their afternoon matchup with the Cubs. Utilityman Ronny Simon got the call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his place on the active roster. Pittsburgh’s chances of making the playoffs are slim to none, but this is still a disappointing blow for an offense that has suffered several notable injuries this season.
Valdez suffered the injury on Friday while running to first base. The Pirates have labeled it a left hamstring strain, although manager Don Kelly said they don’t yet know how severe the strain is (per ESPN).
If this is the end of Valdez’s season, he’ll have plenty to hang his hat on heading into 2027. The slugger has launched 17 home runs in just 72 games. It’s a 30-homer campaign if you include his Triple-A production. He’s posted a 130 wRC+ across 287 plate appearances. Valdez has been Pittsburgh’s everyday right fielder since the start of July.
The main wart in Valdez’s profile is contact. He struggled with strikeouts in the minors, and those swing-and-miss issues were exacerbated against big-league arms. Valdez has punched out at a massive 37.6% clip in his first taste of the majors. Unsurprisingly, he has a swinging-strike rate up near 15% and a hefty 31.9% called + swinging-strike rate. White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami is the only qualified hitter with a CSW% above 32% this season.
The early returns on defense weren’t ideal. Valdez notched -5 Defensive Runs Saved across 552 1/3 innings in the corner outfield spots. He was especially bad in left field, with -3 DRS in just seven appearances. Valdez might ultimately be ticketed for first base/DH duties. An injury to Ryan O’Hearn pressed him into outfield service, but DH should be available next year.
Simon has compiled 37 games of MLB action across the past two years with the Marlins and Pirates. He’s appeared in 10 games with Pittsburgh this year, hitting .281 while bouncing between the middle infield and corner outfield spots. Simon has destroyed Triple-A pitching for the second straight year. After posting a 129 wRC+ in the Miami and Pittsburgh systems last season, he’s slashed .334/.426/.472 at Indianapolis in 2026. Simon has also swiped a career-high 35 bags this year.
Hence then, the article about pirates place esmerlyn valdez on 10 day injured list was published today ( ) and is available on MLBtraderumors ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Pirates Place Esmerlyn Valdez On 10-Day Injured List )
Also on site :
- I Thought I’d Met a Great Guy. When He Refused to Treat His Genital Infection, I Did Something I Never Wanted to Do.
- 2009 Lady Gaga Hit Written on a Tour Bus in Norway Named One of the Greatest Songs of the 21st Century
- In ‘Magazine’, Director Alexandra Pechman Brings a Bygone Era of Print Media (and the 2010s) to TIFF Audiences