Pirates activate Colin Moran, place Mitch Keller on covid-IL

The Pittsburgh Pirates have their starting infield back together again but lost a starting pitcher to the covid-injured list.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced Sunday morning that first baseman Colin Moran will be activated from the injured list, but right-hander Mitch Keller will go on the covid-IL.

Keller was removed from Friday’s game after pitching two innings for what the Pirates called “heat illness.” Under MLB health and safety protocols, Shelton isn’t permitted to discuss Keller’s status.

To make room for Moran, the Pirates optioned shortstop Cole Tucker to Triple-A Indianapolis. They also recalled left-handed reliever Austin Davis, who has been on the IL with a sore elbow.

Moran has been out since May 9 with a left groin injury. Coupled with Phillip Evans’ hamstring injury, it left the Pirates thin at first base. They used Will Craig, Erik Gonzalez and Ben Gamel there in Moran’s absence.

Moran was batting .297/.352/.468 with seven doubles, four home runs and 19 RBIs through 32 games before being injured while diving to first base in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs on May 8.

Moran’s return follows that of third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who was out for two months with a left hand/wrist injury. The Pirates now have their Nos. 2 and 4 hitters and corner infielders back in the lineup.

“It feels good to add him back,” Shelton said. “He was a guy who was a big part of our lineup before he got injured, and now we’re getting closer to what we expected our lineup to be when we broke spring training.”