ST. LOUIS -- After being in a walking boot for weeks, infielder Nick Gonzales was finally able to trade in the protective footwear this weekend for something that fits much better: A pair of cowboy boots that falls right in line with his Arizona upbringing and robust rancher mustache.
“It’s nice to be in those,” Gonzales said in the Busch Stadium visitor’s clubhouse. “Feels good.”
Any return to normalcy is welcomed by Gonzales, who has been on the injured list since the second day of the season with a non-displaced left ankle fracture. The injury happened in Spring Training but was originally chalked up to as soreness after an X-ray didn’t show a fracture.
After being a midseason callup his first two years in the Majors, Gonzales wanted to play Opening Day and thought he could muscle through it. He couldn’t, and his breaking point came during a sixth-inning home run. After moving gingerly around the bases, he was removed from the game.
“I really wanted to play,” Gonzales said. “We [the team and myself] were both confident in the training staff and me that it wasn’t broken. We did get an X-ray, it didn’t show up, and I really, really wanted to play. So I tried to grind through it the best I could.”
Of course, there’s never a good time or circumstance to get hurt, but if it had to happen, there are worse circumstances than doing so hitting a homer.
“That’s something I can take to the grave,” Gonzales said. “I was able to do that and play.” |
Losing Gonzales has been a blow to the Pirates’ offense. His 2024 numbers -- .270 batting average, .709 OPS and 49 RBIs -- look fine on paper, but they don’t really tell the story. He took a huge step forward after being optioned back to the Minors his rookie year. A lot of his hits came in the clutch. He was the author of a pair of walk-offs. Going by win probability added -- or how much your at-bats impact your team’s chances of winning -- he was the second-most valuable hitter on the Pirates last year, behind Bryan Reynolds.
This season was an opportunity to not only unequivocally claim the second-base job but continue to grow on the field. That has been on hold.
“I felt like I was able to help out a good amount, provide a spark whenever we needed it,” Gonzales said. “In the offseason, the amount of work I put in the offseason -- weight room, defense, offense -- for everything to be put on hold for another five weeks is really tough.”
Gonzales admits it’s been tough to just watch from the sidelines, but has found solace in focusing on the little wins. He may not be able to be on the field, but getting out of that boot is a win. That first day he was able to swing off a tee was another.
“For me, being able to walk [is a win],” Gonzales said. “I was on a scooter forever, and I really did not like not being able to walk. Being able to walk, take a shower, moving around, those little W’s just every single day [helped].”
Gonzales’ wins have been getting bigger lately, too. He ran in cleats on the field Monday. He took batting practice with the team for the first time Tuesday. The more baseball activities he does, the closer he comes to a rehab assignment.
It goes without saying that the Pirates could use his bat in the lineup. That could happen in the not so distant future.
“It’s not going to be perfect in a week or two, but it will slowly progress back to where I was,” Gonzales said. |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Who recorded the first pitch in PNC Park history? A. Kris Benson
B. Jason Schmidt
C. Todd Ritchie
D. Jimmy Anderson
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In the sixth inning Monday, Oneil Cruz uncorked a 100 mph home to throw out Victor Scott II on a potential sacrifice fly. It’s the hardest-thrown assist at the plate for an outfielder this year, and a reminder that Cruz has one of the best arms in the league.
Postgame, reliever Dennis Santana went up to Cruz to hand him something, before infielder Enmanuel Valdez spoke up.
“Leave him alone,” Valdez joked, as relayed by coach and interpreter Stephen Morales. “He throws harder than you!”
More on Cruz’s rocket throw -- and some other achievements he’s had this season that haven’t been seen in decades -- can be found here. |
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What is it: Fried almond torte
What’s in it: Funnel cake batter dipped, fried and topped with raspberry sauce, icing and burnt almonds
Review: If you’re a funnel cake fan, you’ll like this, even if it’s a different consistency. Swapping out powdered sugar for new toppings makes it feel like something more than fair food, but it remains familiar. This reporter is also willing to admit that about halfway through he ditched the plastic cutlery, applied some hand sanitizer and just started ripping off pieces.
Where to get it: Cannonball Stand in right field at PNC Park |
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B. Ritchie Ritchie was the first Pirates pitcher to take the ball in PNC Park history, doing so April 9, 2001. He allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings, and the Pirates lost to the Reds, 8-2. |
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