Pirates Make Injury Decision on Ryan O’Hearn

Jul 24, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Ryan O'Hearn (29) hits a single against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pirates Make Injury Decision on Ryan O’Hearn

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Jack Markowski | Last updated Aug 1, 2026 4:02 PM ET

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are officially set to lose a key piece of their lineup for a vast majority of the stretch run.

The Pirates are placing left-handed slugger Ryan O'Hearn on the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain, which carries a recovery timeline of six-to-eight weeks, MLB.com's Jason Mackey reported.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/jPxGY7SSg8
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 1, 2026

Pittsburgh also optioned right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis. As the corresponding moves, the clubs recalled right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson from Triple-A and activated catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores Jr. from the IL.

O'Hearn suffered his injury while running to first base on a groundout in the top of the ninth inning on July 31 against the Cincinnati Reds.

He previously suffered a right quad injury on May 16 and remained on the IL through May 31.

O'Hearn signed a two-year deal worth $29 million with the Pirates this past offseason and has been one of their top hitters all year, slashing .270/.334/.454 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 359 at-bats.

With the trade deadline just two days away, Pittsburgh may have to seriously consider making a deal for a left-handed hitter to replace O'Hearn for the time being and keep the team afloat in the playoff race.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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