Pirates Place Josh Harrison on the Disabled List

Odds are, the 2017 season has now come to an end for Pirate second baseman Josh Harrison

Things continue to go from bad to worse for the 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates. The latest blow has come via the injury bug as second baseman Josh Harrison has been placed on the 10-day disabled list.

Josh Harrison’s disabled list stint is due to a fracture of the 5th metacarpal in his left hand. This injury occurred in Saturday night’s Pirate victory when Harrison was hit by a pitch in the hand. There is a good chance that this injury will end Harrison’s 2017 season.

If Josh Harrison’s 2017 season is over, it was a strong one. In 128 games played Harrison owns a career-high .339 on-base percentage and 5.2 percent walk rate. Meanwhile, his .160 ISO, .332 wOBA, and 103 wRC+ are all the second highest of his career. When you mix in his strong defense (+5 DRS at second base) Harrison owns a 2.5 fWAR this season.

The season Josh Harrison has had led to him being named a National League All-Star for the second time in his career. While he may not win it, he has had a Gold Glove caliber season at second base.

To replace Josh Harrison on the active roster the Pirates have recalled utility man Chris Bostick from Triple-A. Bostick owns a .362 on-base percentage, .351 wOBA, and a 119 wRC+ at Triple-A this season.

This is Bostick’s second Major League stint this season. Earlier this season he recorded his first five career plate appearances. In these five plate appearances he was held hitless, he drew a walk, and he struck out twice.

Next: Pirates 5, Reds 0

Today, Max Moroff will start at second base for the Pirates. Over the course of the final 26 games of the season Pirate fans will see a lot of Moroff and Sean Rodriguez at second base. Hopefully, Josh Harrison can take this offseason to get healthy and be ready for another strong campaign in 2018.