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Jul 25, 2023

Ke'Bryan Hayes returns to clubhouse, eager to rejoin young Pirates lineup

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. After spending most of July on the injured list, Ke’Bryan Hayes returned to the

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After spending most of July on the injured list, Ke’Bryan Hayes returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse Tuesday afternoon, finally with a back that allows him to display his special skills with the glove.

He wasn’t in the starting lineup Tuesday night, but the Pirates activated him in time for the game against the Detroit Tigers. Hayes said he’s ready to take his usual position at third base on a retooled Pirates roster.

Asked about the back pain that allowed him to play only one game last month, Hayes said he’s recovered sufficiently to play baseball again.

“I wouldn’t say 100% (healthy),” he said on the field at PNC Park after taking groundballs prior to the game. “At this point in the season, no one’s going to be 100%. I definitely feel back to where I feel like I can go out there and compete and not necessarily be in pain.”

Hayes’ rehab assignment in Triple-A Indianapolis lasted only three games and 12 plate appearances, with only one hit (a single) and three walks.

“It was pretty good, for the most part,” he said. “No setbacks really, or anything like that. It felt good to get in there and see some pitches, being back in that baseball atmosphere in a game. All in all, it went pretty well.”

Hayes was placed on the injured list twice last month, returning for one game July 6 before going back on the list the next day.

“Super frustrating,” he said. “Especially having that front half of the season where I didn’t have any problems with it. It just kind of hit me, that type of thing. I’ve been real consistent with all my prep stuff, just had some back-to-back days where it wasn’t great at all.

“I’ve never really had to deal with injuries, so it’s been tough definitely not to be out there with the team, not being able to go out there and compete and do what I love to do every day.”

Hayes said he’s looking forward to the last two months of the season, competing and interacting with the Pirates’ rookie-laden lineup.

“It’s going to be pretty fun these last two months, continue to grow and keep this energy as a team, that chemistry,” he said, “especially with the young guys that are going to help us down the road.”

With due respect to Jared Triolo, who replaced Hayes at third base, manager Derek Shelton said the impact of Hayes’ return will be “better defense.”

“Tri’s played good there, but we’re putting a guy back there who is one of the best in the game,” Shelton said. “What it does for us, it provides us a little more flexibility. It will be good to get him back when he does come back just because he’s a big part of who we are and what we do in our future.

“Offensively, he didn’t have a ton of at-bats (in Indy). There may be a lttle rust that comes off at first. But it will be good just to have him back.”

Shelton said there are other options for Triolo when Hayes takes over third base.

“I can imagine him getting reps probably at all four infield positions,” he said. “That’s not to say he wouldn’t go in the outfield because I know he’s played in the outfield in the minor leagues.”

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

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