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Thursday night news broke that the Pittsburgh Pirates will be placing first baseman/designated hitter Yoshi Tsutsugo on the 10-day injured list
Few players have disappointed more this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates than Yoshi Tsutsugo. The left-handed hitting first baseman/designated hitter has hit for a .177/.281/.257 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 61 through his first 135 plate appearances this season.
When Tsutusgo has been at first base he has struggled for the Pirates. Tsutsugo has posted a -2 Defensive Runs Saved and an Outs Above Average of 0 at first base. His poor defense and offense have combined to give him an fWAR of -0.6 this season.
Well, Tsutsugo is now headed to the injured list. According to the transaction page of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tsutsugo has been placed on the injured list retroactive to May 25th. This would explain Jason Mackey’s report from Wednesday that super utility man Tucupita Marcano is being promoted by the Pirates.
With Tsutsugo on the injured list Michael Chavis should see the majority of the playing time at first base. There is a strong argument to be made that Chavis has been the team’s best hitter this season and he has earned every day at-bats.
Ben Gamel could potentially see playing time at first base as well. In the past few days Gamel has been working in pregame at first base. This is something that the Pittsburgh Pirates had Gamel do last season as well.
Young Pirate hitters could be set to benefit from the opportunities this will create. Derek Shelton was about to face a conundrum on what to do in right field with Cal Mitchell off to a hot start and Jack Suwinski leading all National League rookies in home runs. Now, getting both of them in the lineup every day will be easier.
It could also make it easier for the Pirates to continue to get at-bats to middle infielders. Rodolfo Castro needs to be playing every day, Josh VanMeter has quietly been very good the last two weeks, and Diego Castillo still deserves a look. Regardless of how it shakes out, Tsutsugo hitting the IL will create opportunities for other Pirate hitters.