Now healthy, Pirates counting on 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes to help lengthen their lineup

Derek Shelton was excited about the prospect of Ke’Bryan Hayes returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup after watching the third baseman run the bases, take batting practice and do infield drills.

When Hayes stood next to the Pirates manager in the home dugout at PNC Park in the first inning of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Shelton got a better idea that Hayes (mid-back strain) was ready to return from his 10-day stint on the injured list.

“Just the look on his face, the smile on his face, I knew we were in a good spot,” Shelton said. “That was really encouraging. And then he went through (Monday) with no issues. …

“It’s important for us to get him back. It’s good that we were able to do it efficiently, and I give our training staff a lot of credit that we were able to get him back in that amount of time.”

Hayes felt his back lock up the morning of Aug. 11, a day game at the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played through the pain, going 2 for 4 in the 9-3 loss, but knew something was wrong.

“After playing through whatever it was — I don’t know exactly what it was — that next day after that plane ride and whenever I woke up, it felt terrible,” Hayes said. “I’m not sure what may have caused it. Could have been the long plane ride before, playing on the turf, I don’t know 100%. Just glad to be feeling better now.”

Hayes had started 100 games at third base, where he is the reigning Fielding Bible Award winner as the game’s best defender and, with 16 defensive runs saved, is considered a leading NL candidate for a Gold Glove. In his absence, the Pirates turned to a pair of Triple-A call-ups. Rodolfo Castro started eight games at third base and Kevin Padlo two.

The Pirates went 2-8 in the 10 games Hayes missed, so there was a sense of urgency to get his bat back in the top of the order.

“I think it’s really important because it lengthens our lineup out,” Shelton said. “When you have as many young players as we do, being able to lengthen your lineup out takes a little bit more pressure off of where they’re at in being able to give them opportunities. It’s really important to have him back in our lineup in all facets of the game.”

Hayes was hoping to pick up where he left off, as he was riding an eight-game hitting streak where he had gone 11 for 33 in his last eight starts.

It didn’t take Hayes long to rediscover the rhythm of his swing. After he went 0 for 4 Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves in his return from the IL, Shelton had Hayes serve as designated hitter for the first time in his major-league career Wednesday. That allowed Hayes to spend more time to focusing on his at-bats and watching the pitch sequencing.

Hayes went 2 for 4 with a double in the 14-2 loss to the Braves and now is slashing .251/.321/.358 with 19 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 35 RBIs this season. Now, his focus is on remaining healthy.

“This is what I do for a living,” Hayes said. “It sucked being out, having to watch all those games. … Any time you’re over there on the IL, and you’re watching your team go to battle each and every night, you want to be out there to try to help do your part to help get wins. So, I’m just looking forward to being back and not trying to do too much, just try to be me and hopefully I can help us get some wins.”