The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed second baseman Nick Gonzales on the 10-day injured list after he sustained a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle, manager Derek Shelton confirmed on Friday.
The injury originally occurred during spring training when Gonzales fouled a ball off his ankle but seemed to have improved enough for him to play in the season opener.
Despite his injury, Gonzales made a significant impact during Thursday night’s game against the Miami Marlins. He hit a crucial two-run home run in the sixth inning of the Pirates’ narrow 5-4 loss. However, as he rounded the bases, he was noticeably in discomfort and was taken out of the game shortly after.
To fill the vacant spot on the roster, the Pirates have called up utility player Enmanuel Valdez from their Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. Valdez is expected to provide depth to the infield while Gonzales recovers.
Last season, Gonzales played in 94 games for Pittsburgh, maintaining a solid .270 batting average and driving in 49 runs.
His absence will be felt in the Pirates’ lineup, especially given his offensive contributions.
The team has not provided an exact timeline for his return, but Gonzales will likely undergo further evaluation in the coming days.
Fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a speedy recovery so he can return to action as soon as possible.