Pirates OF To Miss Weeks Due to Surgery

The injury news just keeps getting worse for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Just a day after losing their starting catcher to a severe hamstring injury that will require surgery, they've learned that outfielder Jake Marisnick will also go under the knife to repair a UCL injury in his thumb. He'll be lost for weeks. 

Marisnick's thumb folded all the way back under his hand while attempting a diving catch on Monday. 

Jake Marisnick with the DIVING catch ⚾️

📹 @Pirates pic.twitter.com/xoy63j0uYq

— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) May 9, 2022

According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said there were two surgical options being considered; one of them, called a "re-bracing" of the thumb, would see him out for "weeks"; the other, full reconstructive surgery, would mean "months" on the shelf. They are currently leaning towards the former. 

Marisnick was signed just before the season opener as a 4th outfielder known for his defense. And that, he has provided, all over the outfield for the Bucs.

The Pirates have called up 24-year-old pitcher Max Kranick to replace Marisnick on the roster. His work with the big club last season left a bit to be desired, as he posted a 6.28 ERA in 9 starts. This year at Triple-A, he notched a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings. 

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports