Why Pirates All-Star Outfielder Has Been Limited To DH Role

Bryan Reynolds continues to be in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup every day, but not in his usual spot.

Reynolds was at designated hitter instead of in the outfield for a third straight game in Wednesday’s 4-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The reason? Reynolds is dealing with a minor arm injury that is preventing him from playing defense, so the Pirates are being careful with him.

“What we’re going with right now is right tricep soreness,” Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told reporters, per The Associated Press. “He’s been able to hit, been able to play, and there is little soreness when throwing. So they’re taking, making the necessary steps and learning as much as we can, as fast as we can to see when he can be a full complementary player right now.”

It’s unclear when Reynolds will be able to return to his usual role in the outfield. But the Pirates, who are off to a slow start offensively this season, obviously will want to keep the left-handed hitter’s bat in the lineup to try to give Pittsburgh a jolt.