The Pirates are home for one last, brief series at PNC Park, against the NL Central-winning Brewers. Greg Brown previews the action.
The Pirates have shut down third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas for the final six games of the season. Hayes has not played since being placed on the injured list August 19th. He’s dealing with chronic lower back inflammation and says he has visited Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles to design a new rehab plan in hopes of curtailing his frequent trips to the injured list. He will concentrate on a more intense program emphasizing reps and building up his core this offseason.
Nicolas has been one of the Pirates’ most effective bullpen arms. He left a game last Monday with pain in his left side, which was described as “relatively minor” by assistant general manager Kevan Graves on Sunday’s Ben Cherington Show on WCCS.
Endy Rodriguez will play no more baseball this year. The Pirates’ catcher was removed from last Friday’s Indianapolis game against St. Paul after a throw down to second base. Graves said it was for right forearm fatigue but said it was “generally good news” as there is no structural damage.
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