Pirates place rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez on injured list with a left hamstring injury

By: The Associated Press Posted: 1:25 PM CDT Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Esmerlyn Valdez on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain, likely signaling the end of the 22-year-old outfielder's rookie season.

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In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled outfielder Ronny Simón from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Valdez is batting .235 with 17 homers and 47 RBIs in 71 games. He made his major league debut on May 22 at Toronto.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez, center, is helped off the field by first base coach Tarrik Brock, left, and a trainer during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Valdez left Friday’s 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs after injuring himself while running to first base on a grounder in the sixth inning. He grabbed the back of his left leg and limped off the field with his arms draped around the shoulders of training staff after shortstop Nico Hoerner threw him out.

Simón is batting .281 with two RBIs in 10 games with the Pirates this season. He had been returned to Indianapolis on Friday after O’Hearn was activated from the injured list.