Pirates Get Great Injury News on Starting Pitcher

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their starting pitcher due to injury in his previous outing, but still avoided a major crisis going forward.

Left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney departed in the top of the seventh inning for the Pirates vs. the Philadelphia Phillies on June 7 at PNC Park.

Heaney allowed a leadoff double to Philies first baseman Alec Bohm and threw a fastball then went way wide of Pirates catcher Henry Davis, moving Bohm to third base with the game tied at 1-1.

Pirates athletic trainer Rafael Freitas checked on Heaney, who did a few warmup throws, but would leave with Freitas and end his start.

Right-handed relief pitcher Isaac Mattson, who the Pirates recalled that same day, came in for Heaney. He struckout Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos after a 2-0 count, and then got back-to-back fly outs from catcher J.T. Realmuto and pinch hitter Bryson Stott, ending the inning unscathed.

Davis came through for the Pirates with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, which proved enough, as the home team took a 2-1 victory over their in-state rival.

The Pirates later revealed that Heaney left the game vs. the Phillies with left calf cramping, instead of a more serious injury that could've hurt Heaney the rest of the season.

Heaney spoke after the game and said that he was fine, but had never dealt with that kind of injury. He also praised Mattson and Davis for their performances.

"I'm good," Heaney said. "Yeah, just never had that before. Calf just kind of cramped up on me. Just, I don't know. A weird one. Obviously, it went well. Mattson did a great job, Hank's always prepared, phenomenal back there. Great job, obviously gave us the lead with the homer and the bullpen locked it down. It was a fun win."