Valdez Leaves Pirates Game After HBP, Hand Injury Feared

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez had to leave the game Monday night against Arizona after getting hit by a pitch, in what looked to be on the hand/wrist.

Pirates manager and trainer examined Valdez for a minute or two around home plate and Valdez could be seen in visible pain.

It was on a 1-1 pitch from Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly with no score in the fourth inning on Monday. To add insult, pinch-runner Jared Triolo was picked off the base in substituting for Valdez.

The 22-year-old Valdez has 14 home runs, 36 RBIs, a .290 average, .382 on-base, .702 slugging and 1.084 OPS in his first 38 games in the majors. Valdez hit .406 in June and has eight home runs in July as part of a dozen extra base hits in 75 at bats.