Hayes' back injury is still being evaluated and there remains no timetable for his return, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The third baseman has been on the 10-day injured list on two occasions this season with back problems and the Pirates are still trying to get a better handle on the injury. Hayes is expected to return at some point during September, but his timeline lacks specificity. The 27-year-old is sporting a lowly .233/.283/.290 batting line this season.
Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes: Expected back this season
Rotowire
General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that he is optimistic Hayes (back) will return at some point during the 2024 season, MLB.com reports.
Hayes has been sidelined since Aug. 19 with back inflammation and has not resumed much activity. Despite the lack of progress, he should be back to man the hot corner at some point in the coming weeks.
Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes: Goes on IL with back inflammation
Rotowire
The Pirates placed Hayes on the 10-day injured list Monday with low-back inflammation, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
It was reported earlier Monday that Hayes has been playing with a herniated disc in his back for much of the season, and this is the second time a back problem has landed him on the IL. It's not clear how much time he might miss. Jared Triolo figures to handle third base for now, although Isiah Kiner-Falefa could move there when Nick Gonzales (groin) returns.
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Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes: Playing through herniated disc
Rotowire
Hayes has played with a herniated disc in his back for much of the season, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Hayes missed most of May with the issue, and while he's stayed off the injured list since then, it sounds like the discomfort hasn't really gone away. It could at least partly explain the 27-year-old's dreadful .233/.283/.290 batting line this season. There doesn't seem to be any talk at this point of surgery and/or shutting Hayes down, but perhaps that changes when/if the Pirates decide they don't have a realistic chance of making the postseason. Hayes has five more years left on the eight-year, $70 million contract extension he signed in April of 2022.
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Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Hayes is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against Seattle.
Hayes has gone 0-for-12 with five strikeouts over his last three games. He'll begin Sunday's contest in the dugout while Jared Triolo starts at third base and bats ninth.
Hayes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Hayes appears to be receiving some maintenance after he went 8-for-35 (.229 average) with two stolen bases, six runs and two RBI while starting each of the Pirates' last nine games. Jared Triolo will spell Hayes at the hot corner.
Hayes went 0-for-2 with two walks, two stolen bases and one run scored in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.
Hayes is still looking for his first extra-base hit since the All-Star break, and he's batting just .200 (7-for-35) over 10 games in that span. He made an impact with speed Monday, logging his first two steals since July 7. The third baseman has slumped to a .239/.293/.298 slash line with 10 steals, three home runs, 23 RBI, 33 runs scored and nine doubles over 81 contests this season.
