Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz is expected to miss time this spring training due to a right wrist injury, sources informed the Post-Gazette on Tuesday evening. The news of Horwitz's injury comes less than 24 hours before the Pirates were set to report to Bradenton, Fla., for the start of spring training.
The Pirates confirmed Horwitz’s injury Wednesday morning, saying that he underwent surgery last week to address chronic symptoms. The procedure was performed by Dr. Thomas Graham. Horwitz’s timetable to return, per the team, is six-to-eight weeks.
A 27-year-old who hits from the left side of the plate, Horwitz was acquired in December in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for right-hander Luis Ortiz and pitching prospects Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. The Pirates planned for Horwitz to compete for the starting first base job in 2025.
Horwitz spent last season with the Blue Jays, where he hit .265 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs over 96 games. He has played in 112 games in his brief major league career.
With Horwitz unavailable, the Pirates will look toward internal replacements to fill his spot at first base. Billy Cook, 26, who was acquired last year at the trade deadline, projects to be an ideal replacement, as does All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who manager Derek Shelton said would see brief time at the position, during the winter meetings in December.
In addition to players on the 40-man roster, the Pirates also have a handful of non-roster invitees who will look to take advantage of Horwitz’s absence. Darick Hall, a 29-year-old who spent the past nine seasons in the Phillies organization, headlines that group. Hall’s best year in the major leagues came in 2022, when he batted .250 with nine home runs and an .804 OPS over 41 games.
First Published: February 12, 2025, 2:45 a.m.
Updated: February 12, 2025, 2:55 a.m.
