Valdez Back After Hand Bruise | Pittsburgh Pirates News

Pirates’ 22-year-old phenom Esmerlyn Valdez is back in the lineup after taking a brutal fastball to the hand — just a bruise, no breaks. Already smashing a .290 average, 14 homers, and 36 RBIs in just 38 games with an OPS over 1.000, Valdez admitted he was terrified — it was his first time hit there. Pulled after the pitch from Merrill Kelly, he returned Tuesday night against the same Diamondbacks, proving his toughness and the team’s faith in him. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e28f7ac8b62342be