Morning Rundown: Nick Gonzales returns, Kyle Nicolas returns, Wyatt Sanford to Bradenton

Gonzales returns to lineup, Nicolas takes Rainey's spot in bullpen, Sanford to Bradenton

Jun 04, 2025

Nick Gonzales was activated from the injured list on Tuesday and was immediately put back in the lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went 1-3 with a strikeout and a caught stealing.

He left the first game of the season with an injury and was recently rehabbing with the Indianapolis Indians in Triple-A until getting activated.

In the only game he had played in, Gonzales went 1-3 with two strikeouts and a home run. He struggled during his rehab assignment, batting .194/.211/.250 in nine games.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates outrighted Nick Solak back to Indianapolis. He hadn’t played much of late and had one hit in 11 at-bats with the Pirates.

Pittsburgh also recalled RHP Kyle Nicolas to take Tanner Rainey’s spot in the bullpen. Rainey was designated for assignment on Monday.

Nicolas has a 4.40 ERA, with 25 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched this year with Indianapolis. He’s also pitched seven games for the Pirates, where he has an ERA of over 10.

The Pirates’ second-round pick in 2024, Wyatt Sanford, was promoted from the Florida Complex League to the Bradenton Marauders on Tuesday.

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Sanford, 19, had been an on-base machine for the FCL Pirates, slashing .259/.487/.370 with three extra base hits, six RBI, 17 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, and was hit by nine pitches. He’s also walked as many times as he has struck out (15).

He played second base on Tuesday, batting second behind Konnor Griffin in the lineup, who was also his double-play partner. It didn’t take him long to get things going, as he hit a home run in his first at-bat and drove in a total of three runs on the night.

The Pirates were shut out for the 10th time this season on Tuesday, losing 3-0 to the Houston Astros.

Paul Skenes had another brilliant start end up in a loss. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over eight innings, but fell to 4-6 on the season.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s two hits accounted for half of the total they’d put together as a team.

Altoona Curve sent LHP Tyler Samaniego on a rehab assignment to Greensboro Grasshoppers
Altoona Curve sent RHP Carlson Reed on a rehab assignment to Greensboro Grasshoppers
LHP Blake Townsend assigned to Altoona Curve from Greensboro Grasshoppers
Bradenton Marauders placed LHP Inmer Lobo on the 7-day injured list
SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates
2B Michell Ojeda assigned to FCL Pirates from DSL Pirates Gold
IF Carlos Caro assigned to FCL Pirates from Bradenton Marauders
DSL Pirates Black placed RHP Robinson Smith on the 7-day injured list
DSL Pirates Black placed RHP Marlons Quintana on the 7-day injured list
DSL Pirates Black placed RHP Justino Francisco on the 7-day injured list

Top Exit Velocity

Bryan Reynolds - PIT - 107.9 mph - Lineout
Eddy Rodriguez - BRD - 106.2 mph - Fielder’s Error
Yordany De Los Santos - BRD - 105.2 mph - Double
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 104.7 mph - Single
Abrahan Gutierrez - IND - 104.2 mph - Groundout

Top Pitch Velocity

Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.7 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.5 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.4 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.4 mph
Paul Skenes - PIT - 99.4 mph

Most Whiffs

Paul Skenes - PIT - 21
Thomas Harrington - IND - 10
Alessandro Ercolani - ALT - 9
Carlos Jimenez - GBO - 9
Clevari Tejada - BRD - 8

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