Pirates News: Nick Gonzales injury update, players sent to Triple-A, Spencer Horwitz

When Nick Gonzales trotted – or, more specifically, limped – around the bases after mashing a two-run homer on Opening Day at loanDepot Park, it was clear that the Pittsburgh Pirates' second baseman was in a lot of pain.

Gonzales was immediately replaced by Adam Frazier at second base in the next half-inning. The team initially announced his injury as “recurrent left ankle discomfort,” revealing after the game that Gonzales originally injured the ankle during spring training. At that time, x-rays were negative.

However, an MRI following Gonzales' flare-up on Thursday revealed a non-displaced ankle fracture that the original x-ray had failed to show. He has since been placed on the 10-day injured list, and Enmanuel Valdez has been called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his spot on the Pirates' active roster.

General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday during his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan that Gonzales will have a CT scan in Pittsburgh on Monday that should reveal "a little bit more" about the severity of the injury and timeline for Gonzales' potential return. In the meantime, Cherington is confident that the injury is not season-ending.

“Bottom line, simple as that, he’ll be in a boot for a while," Cherington said of the former first-round pick in 2020. "He’s going to come back and play this year, no doubt.”

Pirates outright Joshua Palacios, Peter Strzelecki to Triple-A Indianapolis

The Pirates announced Saturday that outfielder Joshua Palacios and right-handed pitcher Peter Strzelecki had both cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis. Both will remain in the organization as non-roster depth going forward.

Palacios was originally designated for assignment on March 22 when right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton was added to the 40-man roster. Palacios appeared in 114 games for the Pirates over the previous two seasons but ultimately lost his spot on the 40-man roster after going 4-for-19 at the plate in Grapefruit League this spring.

Strzelecki was DFA'd on March 27 when the Pirates selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Ryan Borucki. Strzelecki, who was acquired by Pittsburgh in a November trade with the Cleveland Guardians, went 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA over eight innings during spring training.

Pirates' Spencer Horwitz appears to be on track in recovery from wrist surgery

First baseman Spencer Horwitz, arguably the Pirates' biggest offseason acquisition, has been sidelined for more than six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right wrist. Horwitz opened the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list, but Greg Macafee of DK Pittsburgh Sports provided an encouraging update on Horwitz's status from Miami over the weekend.

"Spencer Horwitz is on the field currently working on his base running to get back into the swing of things. He’s going first to third, simulating tag situations and really just resting his legs. He looks smooth."

If all continues to go as planned during his recovery, Horwitz could make his Pirates debut by the end of April. And after what we just witnessed to start the season, this team is going to need all the help it can get.

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