Pirates Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez Limps Off With Left Hamstring Injury

Esmerlyn Valdez exited Friday's 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs after injuring his left hamstring while running to first base.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez left Friday's 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs after suffering left hamstring discomfort in the sixth inning. The 22-year-old injured himself while running to first base on a ground ball, where he was thrown out by shortstop Nico Hoerner. Valdez grabbed the back of his left leg and required assistance from training staff to limp off the field.

Before the exit, Valdez was batting .235 with 17 home runs and 47 RBIs through 71 games this season. Billy Cook replaced him in right field during the bottom half of the sixth, where he misjudged a fly ball from Seiya Suzuki that resulted in a triple. The Pirates confirmed Valdez is receiving treatment, though the team provided no further details regarding the severity of the injury.

The injury follows other significant roster moves for Pittsburgh, including the placement of All-Star right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (14-6) on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to arm discomfort. In a corresponding move on Friday, the club activated Ryan O'Hearn from the 10-day injured list following his recovery from a strained left quad sustained on July 31.