In a scene described as a “scary minute,” the Pittsburgh Pirates held their collective breath when Ke’Bryan Hayes remained facedown after a headfirst slide into dwelling plate developed a collision with Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.

Hayes grew to become a franchise cornerstone when he signed an eight-12 months, $70 million agreement in April, so the sight of the 25-year-old third baseman clutching his left shoulder had the Pirates pressing pause in their celebration of what Michael Chavis referred to as an “awkward walk-off” earn Thursday afternoon at PNC Park.

That Hayes, right after currently being tended to by trainer Rafael Freitas, was capable to get up on his personal, increase and rotate his left arm prior to leaving the industry with out support was seen as a promising indicator.

“The great matter is he walked off below his individual energy,” Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton claimed in his postgame news conference. “I walked upstairs with him, and he appeared like he was in a improved spot.”

The Pirates offered no updates on Hayes on Friday early morning but already know what it is like to lose him for an prolonged stretch. Right after homering in the 2021 time opener, Hayes missed the subsequent two months with a still left hand/wrist harm that sidelined him until finally early June. Hayes also remaining the season opener at St. Louis this calendar year in the very first inning when he knowledgeable spasms in his left hand. He played the upcoming day.

So the sight of Hayes being harm experienced the Pirates apprehensive.

“That was a very little scary,” Pirates pitcher Jose Quintana stated. “I requested how he was feeling now, and he mentioned he’s Ok. … We will need this guy.”

Which is an understatement, as Hayes has been the Pirates’ very best all-all over participant this period. He qualified prospects the crew with a .264 batting normal, 15 doubles and is tied with Chavis for the RBIs direct with 24. Hayes, who has started out 62 of 69 game titles, sales opportunities all 3rd basemen and is tied for the major-league guide in defensive operates saved (14) and experienced SABR’s maximum Defensive Index position given that June 19 (7.7).

And, right after hitting .200 this thirty day period, Hayes appeared to snap out of a slump in Thursday’s 8-7 earn around the Cubs. He hit a two-run homer in the 3rd inning, achieved two times on mistakes and scored 3 runs, which includes the winner in the 10th inning.

The Cubs missing a problem on a call at home in the top rated of the 10th, arguing Pirates catcher Tyler Heineman blocked the plate on Patrick Wisdom’s slider. Shelton identified as the Hayes-Contreras collision a “borderline play” and stated he did not think there was any intent by Contreras to block the plate or injure Hayes. Shelton credited Hayes for creating an “aggressive baseball play” but claimed he would have favored that Hayes hadn’t slid headfirst into dwelling.

“I do not feel I would ever want any one heading headfirst into the plate,” Shelton mentioned. “It’s just a normal detail for a good deal of these gamers these days. They consider to slide around tags. There is a total problem with sliding into the plate. A whole lot of men that slide into the plate slide in and continue to keep their entrance foot up and you see a whole lot of replays that are overturned for the reason that of it. If I’m voting, I’m heading to vote that he does not slide headfirst into the plate.”

The only other Pirates to begin at 3rd base this period are Chavis (four game titles), Hoy Park (two) and Rodolfo Castro (a single), who is now at Triple-A Indianapolis. Of the eight gamers who started at 3rd base past period, 5 are no for a longer time with the Pirates. Park began eight game titles, Castro 4 and Chavis a few.

Issue is, Chavis has been starting at 1st base considering the fact that Yoshi Tsutsugo (lessen back again) went on the injured checklist May 27. 4 Pirates players are on rehabilitation assignments at Indianapolis, with Tsutsugo, infielder Josh VanMeter and outfielder Ben Gamel eligible to return from the wounded checklist and shortstop Kevin Newman getting to be eligible Sunday.

That will make Park the most likely applicant to fill in for Hayes. Castro could be referred to as up, but he’s been struggling at the plate in Indianapolis, batting .189 (10 for 53) about the earlier 15 video games. Diego Castillo is a prospect, provided he has performed 6 positions this season, which includes 8 innings at 3rd foundation right after Hayes left the opener.

The Pirates, of study course, are just hoping Hayes is healthy.

“Ke’ walked off the subject,” Chavis said. “He stood up, so which is the major matter we’re centered on.”