It looks like the Pirates have dodged a bullet with rookie star Esmerlyn Valdez, who left Monday night’s game against Arizona in pain after he was hit by a pitch.
93.7 The Fan’s Dan Zangrilli reports that Valdez’s “status is day to day after being diagnosed with a contusion.”
Zangrilli adds a number of tests show there is no fracture.
Valdez was hit by the pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning. He was in a lot of pain and immediately left the game.
Pirates manager Don Kelly said it seemed liked the pitch grazed a little higher on Valdez’s left arm and ricocheted down and ‘hit him pretty good in the wrist area’.
“We’re all praying for him,” said Pirates 2B Brandon Lowe. “We hope for the best. I’m not sure what’s come out or anything else. We saw him earlier and we won so he was in good spirits. I know it’s an uncertain time for him. We’re praying he gets the best news possible.”
What Kelly saw was his team respond to hardship again.
And that's what it's going to take,” Kelly said. “It's going to take all 26 guys to win games and get to where we want to go, and we need everybody pulling in the same direction,” Kelly said. “I think we saw that tonight, especially with Valdy going down. There's adversity everywhere, and these guys have bounced back really good.”
Valdez has 14 home runs and 36 RBIs in 38 career games with a 1.084 OPS.
