PITTSBURGH — J-Hay is back. The Pirates’ second baseman, who had the fifth metacarpal in his left hand broken when he was hit by a pitch on April 15, was expected to miss six weeks with the injury, but instead missed just five weeks and 30 games.
Harrison will re-take his leadoff spot in the order and start at second base on Sunday, and will also bring his usual amount of energy to the team.
“He helps us on both side of the ball and he helps us in the clubhouse,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
IN OTHER NEWS
Nick Kingham was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Harrison on the roster. Kingham’s place in the majors was no longer needed because Joe Musgrove has completed his rehab and will make his Pirates debut on Friday against St. Louis.
Starling Marte spoke with reporters about his strained right oblique and re-iterated that he doesn’t believe it’s a long-term injury. Marte has been completely shut down from baseball activity. Oblique strains are injury that are notorious for lingering.
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Matt Gajtka took a look at a new idea in baseball that the Tampa Bay Rays have been exploiting. But it’s actually something that was pioneered right here in Pittsburgh, way back in 1990. If you remember Ted Power’s stint with the Pirates, this is probably the reason.
http://18.206.184.11/2018/05/pirates-pitching-personnel-conducive-to-doing-something-revolutionary.html
PIRATES LINEUP
Gm 46: ☠ (26-19) vs.
PADRES LINEUP
Rise ‘n shine! ☀️
Jordan Lyles gets the nod for the series finale in Pittsburgh at 10:35am PT today. Here’s the full lineup: pic.twitter.com/0ImSH2egZN
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 20, 2018
CONDITIONS
It’s shaping up to be a pretty solid Sunday afternoon at the ballpark. It’s mostly cloudy with the sun occasionally peeking through with a high of 74 degrees. Weather.com gives a 15 percent change of precipitation through 5 p.m. The flags, at half-mast due to the school shooting in Houston last week, are blowing from right field to left thanks to a 9 MPH wind.
