Isiah Kiner-Falefa took winding road from rehab assignment to being activated by Pirates

Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s return from a rehabilitation assignment to the major leagues was a winding road, one that involved a trade and required multiple crossings of the Canadian border.

Kiner-Falefa was traveling back and forth from Toronto to Triple-A Buffalo while recovering from a left knee sprain, then took a flight to Worcester, Mass., for a game against the Red Sox affiliate before the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired the infielder at Tuesday’s trade deadline.

“Every day I crossed the border they were like, ‘What are you doing?’ I’m like, ‘I play for the Blue Jays — or played for the Blue Jays.’ That always helps, but they were like, ‘Oh, what are you doing? Smuggling something?’”

Just when Kiner-Falefa thought his travel ordeals were over, the Pirates continued his rehab assignment and sent him to Double-A Altoona, where he went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored Friday night.

Kiner-Falefa reached what he hopes is his final destination, when he arrived in the home clubhouse Saturday afternoon at PNC Park. He was activated by the Pirates and was in the starting lineup at second base against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It’s been crazy,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Just excited to be back in the big leagues with a great organization. Ready to help the team win.”

To make room on the active roster, the Pirates optioned infielder Alika Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis. Kiner-Falefa had a .292/.338/.420 slash line with eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 82 games for the Blue Jays before going on the injured list on July 2.

Kiner-Falefa, who won an AL Gold Glove at third base in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, is expected to play primarily at second base with Nick Gonzales on the 10-day injured list with a groin strain. Kiner-Falefa played 40 games at second base, 38 at third base and 15 at shortstop for Toronto this season.

“His versatility and what he provides is the fact that he’s stable, he’s a leader and he’s having a really good year offensively,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “It’s a really good acquisition for us.”