Spencer Horwitz takes a step in recovery, fielding grounders at first base for Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. — Spencer Horwitz is finally playing first base for the Pittsburgh Pirates, even if his activity is limited to fielding grounders after workouts at Pirate City.

His first spring training since being acquired by the Pirates was disrupted before it even started when Horwitz underwent surgery on his right wrist, which is expected to keep him out six to eight weeks.

After getting his sutures removed earlier this week, Horwitz was back on the dirt at Roberto Clemente Field as Pirates bench coach Don Kelly hit ground balls and shouted encouragement.

“That was probably the second-most fun I’ve had fielding ground balls, aside from (Tuesday),” Horwitz said. “I felt amazing. When you’re not doing it for a while, you forget how much fun this game can be. Today was a lot of fun and a step in the right direction.”

With sutures removed from right wrist surgery, Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz fields grounders from bench coach Don Kelly after Wednesday’s workout at Pirate City. pic.twitter.com/zQOmsQtu5u

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 19, 2025

Horwitz’s injury was the first significant setback of spring training and created a gaping hole at first base. He reiterated what Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said, that the injury occurred after his trade from the Cleveland Guardians was completed. When rest didn’t help, he saw hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham and had surgery.

“I was pumped when I got traded here. This is obviously not how I wanted it to start,” Horwitz said. “It was frustrating, but it’s part of the game. Everyone has dealt with injuries. … I talked to Ben Cherington, and he said wars aren’t won in one day. We wanted to get this taken care of, not to linger into the season. This is in the past. We have a month left of rehab, then hopefully I can start getting into games again and put it behind us.”

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the expectation for Horwitz to return to game action within two months is “still is a very attainable goal.” The Pirates broke his recovery into two-week sections, with the first to help him get over the healing process.

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Horwitz had his cast removed, no longer has to wear a brace except to sleep and is days away from not needing it at all. Now, Horwitz is running, fielding grounders and taking swings with his left hand.

“A lot of the injury stuff can get monotonous when you’re in the training room and you have the cast on and you can’t do much,” Horwitz said. “The first two weeks were really tough. To start to see that light at the end of the tunnel is exciting. I can’t wait to get back out there.”

In other injury news:

• Right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo, who missed last season following Tommy John surgery, remains in the live bullpen phase of his recovery and won’t pitch on the same schedule as the rest of the starting rotation.

“Boy, what an encouraging sign to see him, the energy,” Tomczyk said. “This man has put in a lot of work, and the excitement that he brings. … He has no restrictions as far as he can throw all his pitches, all the pitch arsenal, but to say he’s in line with a Mitch Keller, Jared Jones and that starting pitching group, that’s inaccurate.”

• Righty reliever Dauri Moreta, who had Tommy John surgery last spring and is on the 60-day injured list, is throwing off the slope but is not ready to return to game action.

• Righty reliever Hunter Stratton, who ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee last August, remains on track to meet the projection of returning to game action in seven to 10 months. Stratton has been throwing but just began a running program.

“Knowing Hunter, he was pushing the limits of what a human being can do with this rehab,” Tomczyk said.

• A pair of right-handed pitching prospects are dealing with elbow discomfort. Yerry Rodriguez is seeking a second opinion. Sean Sullivan has returned to playing light catch but isn’t expected to participate in early Grapefruit League games.