Pirates send Tyler Callihan to minors

Cherington mentioned that both players “are progressing well in Florida, but both will be sidelined until after the All-Star Break.” The team hopes that they will both be back in the lineup “not too long after the break.” Cruz has been out since June 10 with non-displaced fractures in his hand. He was originally expected to miss “at least one month,” which will be in the middle of this week. He could likely begin a rehab assignment in the next couple of weeks and, assuming he can swing without pain, be back in the Pirates lineup soon after. With both Horwitz and Cruz back, the Pirates may have to be creative to find at-bats for surging Esmerlyn Valdez and Tyler Callihan.

Callihan highlighted a four-run second inning for the Pirates with a three-run blast off Brady Singer, a 107 mph shot at 412 feet. He then added a base hit in the fourth and drew a walk in the seventh. The 26-year-old outfielder has impressed in his short time in the majors, hitting .259/.359/.537 with three homers and 12 RBI across 64 plate appearances.

The 25-year-old was appearing in just his 11th career game, with the long balls the first he has hit at the big league level. The first one went entirely out of the ballpark and came off Shohei Ohtani, which makes for quite the memorable blast. Callihan is off the fantasy radar despite the big game.

With Konnor Griffin battling a bit of right forearm soreness, the Pirates wanted to add some extra infield depth to be on the safe side. Callihan can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

This qualifies as a bit of a surprise since Garcia was off to a sizzling-hot start this spring, batting .405 (15-for-37) with two homers and three steals in 17 games. The calculus for the Pirates likely involves having the 23-year-old corner outfielder playing regularly on the doorstop of the majors as opposed to languishing in a part-time role at the highest level. His departure means that veteran offseason acquisition Ryan O’Hearn will open the year as Pittsburgh’s starting right fielder with Marcell Ozuna at DH.

It’s an extremely rare intra-divisional trade between longtime rivals. Callihan ascended to the big leagues early last season before suffering a gruesome fractured left forearm on a sliding collision with the left-field wall in just his fourth big-league game. He batted .303/.410/.528 with four homers and six steals in 24 games at the Triple-A level prior to his major-league debut. The 25-year-old’s defensive versatility gives him some appeal for the Pirates in a reserve role.

Nothing has changed in the prognosis for the 24-year-old infielder — who is out for the next six-to-eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a left forearm fracture — this was done to free up a spot on the team’s 40-man roster for the addition of Connor Joe on Friday. Callihan sustained his injury as he crashed into the left field wall during Monday’s game against the Braves.

Callihan will be shut down for roughly two months before resuming baseball activities after suffering a gruesome-looking left forearm fracture during Monday’s game against the Braves. The 24-year-old rookie underwent surgery on Tuesday and is facing an extended absence, but it’s not expected to be a season-ending procedure. There’s a chance he’s able to make it back to Cincinnati at some point in the final two months of the season, barring any setbacks.

Callihan was hurt attempting a diving catch last night in his fourth big-league game. It’s unclear if he has a shot of making it back this season.

Callihan is facing a lengthy absence after suffering multiple broken bones in his left arm when he crashed into the left-field wall in foul territory attempting to make a sliding catch. The 24-year-old was playing in just the fourth big-league game of his career.