Corey Dickerson To Begin A Rehab Stint For The Pittsburgh Pirates

The MASH unit that is the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield will soon receiver a boost

24 games into their 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves as owners of a 12-12 record. A 12-12 start is never a slow start for any team, however, it’s a bit of a disappointment for the Pirates. The reason it is disappointing is due to the team currently riding a six-game losing streaking after a 12-6 start.

A big factor in this losing streak has been a struggling offense. During this losing streak the team has averaged just 1.8 runs per game. The Pirate bats have gone just 6-for-41 with runners in scoring position during this stretch, which has been a major factor in the lack of run production.

A major reason the team has struggled offensively is due to injuries. Outfielders Corey Dickerson, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Starling Marte are all currently on the injured list. Additionally, starting right fielder Gregory Polanco has only appeared in four games this season after being activated from the IL this past Monday.

This Pirate lineup was never going to be among the best in the National League. The team simply does not have enough home run power for that. However, it should be better than it has been.

While injuries are not the only factor, Adam Frazier and Francisco Cervelli’s slow starts are not helping matters, the team’s extensive IL sheet is not helping. Thankfully, they appear close to getting some help.

Chisenhall has been on a rehab stint with Triple-A Indianapolis for over a week now, and could rejoin the team as soon as this week in Texas. On Saturday, Dickerson will join him in Indy’s lineup.

Last season Dickerson was arguably the team’s best player. On top of posting a healthy .300/.330/.474 slash line, Dickerson won a Gold Glove in 2018. And, to be honest, at times the team has missed his defense in left field every bit as much as they have missed his bat in the lineup.

According to manager Clint Hurdle, Dickerson will serve as the designated hitter for Indy on Saturday and Sunday. Following a day off on Monday, he will play left field for the Indians beginning on Tuesday. If all goes well with his rehab stint, he will rejoin the Pirates when they return home on Friday night.

Getting Dickerson back will be a huge shot in the arm for both the Pirate lineup and defense. Veteran Melky Cabrera is very limited defensively at this point in his career, and youngster Jason Martin has struggled defensively in left field. The return of Dickerson is a shot in the arm a struggling Pirates team is in need of. Thankfully, it appears to be less than a week away.