Pirates place 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes on IL again, add OF/1B Billy McKinney, RHP Hunter Stratton
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday placed third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes on the 10-day injured list with low back inflammation, marking the second time this season and fifth time in the past three years that the Gold Glove winner’s bothersome back has required a stay on the IL.
Hayes, 27, is having a career-worst season, batting .233/.283/.290 with nine doubles, four home runs and 25 RBIs through 96 games. He was batting .196 in August, including 1 for 24 over the past six games.
The Pirates selected the contract of outfielder/first baseman Billy McKinney and recalled right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton from Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated righty reliever Ryder Ryan for assignment.
Also, outfielder Joshua Palacios (left hamstring) was returned from his rehabilitation assignment, reinstated from the injured list and optioned to Indianapolis.
The moves will mark the Pirates debut for McKinney, who was acquired from the New York Yankees in December. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter was batting .295/.396/.450 with five doubles, five homers and 18 RBIs in 40 games at Indianapolis.
In 311 games over six major-league seasons, McKinney has batted .209/.284/.390 with 36 doubles, 34 homers and 86 RBIs.
Stratton is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, five holds and one save in 36 2/3 innings over 34 appearances for the Pirates this season.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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