PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Ke'Bryan Hayes is ready for his first game at PNC Park with fans.
"It sucks anytime you are injured," Hayes said Thursday afternoon. "It's the longest time I've ever been on the injured list since 2019 when I injured by finger. Every day coming to the field not being able to go out there, it sucks. I had to take it day-by-day and whenever I was healthy enough to get back out there I was ready for it."
Hayes said the initial wrist injury happened on a 2-1 pitch from Cubs starter Jake Arietta during the second game of the season. He said he immediately felt a 'jolt' in his hand and walked around to try to get it calmed down, but it never did. He said the pain was in-between his ring finger and middle finger and across his wrist.
He felt something similar in 2019 when playing for AAA, but said it wasn't as severe.
The third baseman said he still felt pain after he was sent to the alternate site where he eventually just waited for it to heal and then checked off every box until he was able to finally get back into action for AAA, Indianapolis on May 22.
"There were some ups-and-downs," Hayes said. "Whenever I had the setback was pretty tough. I just had to take it day-by-day and whenever it was ready, it was ready. Last week I got to play in rehab games with Indy. Just to be back on the field, first game. I swung first pitch, just so eager to be out there to play. Just waited for it to take its course and heal all the way."
Hayes said it was good to continue to be around the team as much as he had. He used that time to studying opposing and his own pitchers to see how they were attacking hitters. He would pass on tips he noticed to his teammates. The 24-year-old also said he also asked a lot of questions.
Now, finally, with his dad in attendance he will play his first game at PNC Park with spectators.
"To have support from the fans, at the end of the day I try to go out there and be me," Hayes said. "Put together good at bats for my team and try to make plays on defense."
For as excited as he is to return, I dare say Bucco supporters are just as anxious.
