Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who agreed to the richest contract in franchise history then left the season opener after a spasm of his left forearm, told the Tribune-Review that it was “just a cramp” with “no pain anywhere.”
Hayes was removed by medical staff in the bottom of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Busch Stadium after a “random muscle spasm” from his left thumb to a third of the way down his forearm.
Just hours earlier, Hayes and the Pirates reached agreement on an eight-year, $70 million contract extension. The deal, pending Hayes passing a physical, is expected to be formally announced Tuesday when the Pirates play their home opener against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
After a Tyler O’Neill RBI single to score Dylan Carlson for a 1-0 Cardinals lead, Pirates trainer Rafael Freitas and manager Derek Shelton went onto the field to check on Hayes. The third baseman removed a wrap from his left wrist, then exited the field at Busch Stadium.
Rookie Diego Castillo made his major league debut and replaced Hayes at third base.
Hayes was bothered last season by a left hand/wrist injury that occurred in the second game of the season and forced him to spend 60 days on the injured list. Hayes re-aggravated the injury in late September and was placed on the 10-day IL to end the season. He missed the final week of spring training with a sprained ankle.
