The Pirates have placed Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain, the team announced this afternoon. He told reporters (including Jason Mackey of MLB.com) that he expects to miss six to eight weeks. That might put the rest of his regular season in jeopardy. Eight weeks of recovery would have him returning during the Pirates’ final series of the year.
O’Hearn, 33, has split his time between first base, right field, and designated hitter in 2026. He is batting .270 with 17 home runs and a .788 OPS. While his overall numbers represent a step back from his performance in 2025, the lefty has still been an above-average hitter in the middle of Pittsburgh’s lineup. His bat has been a big part of a surprisingly productive offense. It will be missed, particularly against right-handed pitching, as the 55-56 Pirates try to get back in the Wild Card picture.
Earlier today, the Pirates acquired reliever Camilo Doval from the Yankees, signalling a desire to contend. That will be harder without O’Hearn, who ranks second on the team in home runs and RBI, despite his missing two weeks in May with a right quad strain. His quick return from that injury is a good sign, but evidently, this quad strain is more severe.
In addition to O’Hearn, the Pirates are currently playing without first baseman Spencer Horwitz, center fielder Oneil Cruz, and shortstop Konnor Griffin. Horwitz is on the IL with a hamstring strain, and he suffered a concussion during a rehab game earlier this week. However, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Horwitz did some baserunning at PNC Park earlier today. Hopefully, that’s an indication that his concussion symptoms have subsided. Cruz is also expected to rejoin the Pirates in early August. Griffin is farther away, but he will be eligible to come off the 60-day IL in early September. Red-hot rookie Esmerlyn Valdez has helped the Pirates keep scoring despite all those injuries, but this offense badly needs reinforcements. It’s not overdramatic to say that the timing of Horwitz’s, Cruz’s, Griffin’s, and now O’Hearn’s returns from the IL could make or break Pittsburgh’s season.
Taking O’Hearn’s place on the active roster is catcher Rafael Flores Jr., who had been on the seven-day concussion IL. In a pair of additional roster moves, the Pirates recalled right-hander Isaac Mattson and optioned fellow right-hander Antwone Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their game this evening against the Reds.
