Pirates notebook: Colin Moran, Phillip Evans start rehab assignments in Indianapolis

Injured infielders Colin Moran and Phillip Evans took their most important steps toward rejoining the Pittsburgh Pirates when they begin rehab assignments Tuesday in Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Indians start a six-game home series against the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday night.

Moran, who has transitioned this season into the Pirates’ regular first baseman, has been on the injured list since May 9 with a groin strain. Evans has been out since May 13 with a left hamstring strain. Both are eligible to be activated at any time.

Despite missing 21 games, Moran is second on the team in batting average (.297) and RBIs (19) and third in home runs (four). He has an on-base percentage of .352 while slugging .468. The Pirates were 7-14 in his absence.

Evans has four home runs and eight RBIs, with a slash line of .216/.326/.351.

After Tuesday’s game in Kansas City, the Pirates return home for the start of a six-game homestand against the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. But manager Derek Shelton said Moran and Evans probably won’t play every day in Indianapolis and “probably” won’t be activated this weekend.

“We will play it day-by-day on how they are doing,” Shelton said. “We will build them up.”

A DH benefit

Ben Gamel started in center field and Erik Gonzalez at first base Tuesday night, their second starting assignments at those positions this season. With the game in Kansas City, regular center fielder Bryan Reynolds was the designated hitter for the first time in 2021.

“It’s just a night to get Reynolds off his feet,” Shelton said after Reynolds and Adam Frazier played both ends of the doubleheader Saturday. Frazier was the DH on Monday.

“When you come into American League parks, the ability to give guys a rest and still keep their bats in the lineup is a benefit for National League teams,” Shelton said.

He was clear he remains noncommittal on the DH question, but he said he likes managing the National League game after serving on the coaching staffs of four American League teams from 2005-19.

“I enjoy the National League game. I enjoy managing it,” he said. “I enjoy the back-and-forth with it. I enjoy the pitcher part of it.

“It’s considerably different. Every pitching decision you’re making is based on where the pitcher is at and what you’re doing. Every night, you have to be solely focused on one spot in the order, and in the American League game, you don’t.

“It’s easier to pinch-hit in the American League game, if you want to pinch-hit for position players. In the National League game, you have to be really careful pinch-hitting because of the fact that you’re burning players (for) when your pitcher’s coming up.”

Notable

Shelton said Miguel Yajure, who started two games for the Pirates this season, is dealing with right elbow discomfort in Indianapolis. … Trevor Cahill threw live batting practice Tuesday — about 30 pitches — for the first time since going on the injured list May 22. … The Pirates moved Max Kranick from Double-A Altoona to Indianapolis where he was the starting pitcher Tuesday against Columbus.