The Pirates announced their new first baseman underwent a wrist procedure and will be out an extended period of time.
The beginning of spring training is off to a rocky start for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Late Tuesday night, Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported first baseman Spencer Horwitz would be sidelined to start spring ball.
The Pirates confirmed the news on Wednesday morning in a statement, announcing that Horwitz underwent a procedure on his right wrist last week “to address chronic symptoms.”
The surgery, performed by Dr. Thomas Graham, is expected to sideline Horwitz for six-to-eight weeks.
Horwitz told Pirates reporter John Perrotto that the surgery occurred last week and intended to repair the extender in his right thumb.
A chronic issue for another infielder is even more concerning when considering how Ke’Bryan Hayes has been affected by a lingering back injury that kept him out most of last season. GM Ben Cherington told the media that issues surfaced after PirstesFest and the Pirates knew Horwitz had “symptoms” of wrist concerns. Regardless, Cherington and his staff still felt Horwitz was worth the risk and worth acquiring as their current biggest acquisition of the entire offseason.
The Pirates acquired Horwitz from the Cleveland Guardians hours after the Toronto Blue Jays moved the third baseman to Cleveland. The Bucs gave up a package including Luis Ortiz and two prospects for the 27-year-old lefty.
Horwitz slashed .265/.357/.433 with a .790 OPS in 97 games during his first full season in 2024. He totaled 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and 40 RBIs but doesn’t profile as a 20-25 home-run hitter.
Given the timeline, it’s unlikely Horwitz will be ready for opening day. Cherington pointed to free agents Darick Hall and DJ Stewart as potential options at first base.
Out-of-the-box candidates include Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis, moving Bryan Reynolds to first, or Jared Triolo seeing my time there.
Derek Shelton told the media the Pirates do plan to move Reynolds but to right field and free agent Tommy Pham starting in left.
The first full-squad workout is on Monday, February 17. There is still time for the Pirates to make moves but the clock is ticking. With Horwitz out for an extended period of time and a “chronic” injury potentially hampering him for a longer, the Pirates need to continue to add to their suspect offense and lineup lacking length and consistent power in 2025.