Pirates catcher Roberto Perez to have season-ending surgery on hamstring

Veteran catcher Roberto Perez, who was helping guide the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff through the difficult early days of the season, will have season-ending surgery to repair his hamstring, director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday afternoon.

Perez, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract in November, to replace Jacob Stallings, is on the 60-day injured list after injuring his hamstring May 7 while running the bases in Cincinnati. He originally was placed on the 10-day injured list before being transferred to the 60-day list four days later. He already was out until at least July 6.

The loss of Perez for the second half of the season — he already had missed 10 games — is a blow to the pitching staff because he is skillful at handling pitchers after appearing in 481 games as a catcher since 2014. He is a two-time American League Gold Glove winner.

He was hitting .233 with two home runs and eight RBIs this season.

The Pirates catching duties are currently shared between Michael Perez, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 7, and Tyler Heineman, who was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. Catcher Andrew Knapp, who was designated for assignment when the Pirates claimed Heineman, has decided to become a free agent.

Michael Perez has four hits, including two home runs, in 24 at-bats with the Pirates this season. Heineman made his Pirates debut Wednesday night in the finale of the three-game series with the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field.

Heineman was 4 for 15 with the Blue Jays this season after previously playing for the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants. He has a .221 batting average in 78 career plate appearances.