Pirates Issue Update On Infielder Who Left Season Opener After Slugging Homer

It was clear soon after Nick Gonzales hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning Thursday that the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman was injured.

Gonzales looked fine on his swing, which sent a pitch from Miami Marlins reliever Lake Bachar 374 feet over the wall in left field at loanDepot Park. But Gonzales struggled trotting around the bases, doing so with a noticeable limp.

Gonzales, who finished 1-for-3 at the plate in the 5-4 season-opening defeat, never made it out of the dugout for the bottom half of the inning. And before the game ended, the Pirates issued an update on Gonzales’ status.

The Pirates announced that Gonzales was removed from the contest due to recurrent left ankle discomfort. The Pirates deemed Gonzales day-to-day and are expected to give another update once Gonzales is evaluated by the team’s medical staff.

It was another hit to the right side of Pittsburgh’s infield with first baseman Spencer Horwitz starting the season on the 10-day injured list as he recovers from right wrist surgery. The Pirates can’t afford for Gonzales to be out long since they are stretched thin in the infield. But Adam Frazier, a veteran of nine MLB seasons, is a capable backup if Gonzales misses extended time.