Pirates Utility Player Adjusting to New Outfield Role

He immediately got tested in his first game, as Phillies shortstop Trea Turner hit the first pitch of the game 94.3 mph to right field that Triolo dove for and almost made a play on it, but it just bobbled out of his diving glove for a single.

“No. I thought I could’ve had it," Triolo said. "I think just the impact to the ground and trying to catch the ball, knocked it out.”

Triolo also had an error charged to him on a double from Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, which came on his throw to second baseman Brandon Lowe, who bobbled it and Turner scored, the second of two runs that came across on that play.

He ended up having to move to first base in the top of the fourth inning after Ryan O'Hearn suffered an injury, with Nick Yorke taking his spot in right field in the eventual 6-0 loss.

Triolo played his first full game in right field in the series finale, where he didn't have a ton of action, but still had to make up for some hits to the outfield in another 6-0 defeat.

Will Triolo Play in Right Field More Often?

The Pirates sent Yorke down following the series vs. the Phillies and said that a corresponding move would come before their next series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, May 19-21.

Jhostynxon Garcia, a right-handed power bat, is reportedly the likely addition, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who could fill that right field role, with O'Hearn out injured.

Triolo is an interesting case for the Pirates in the outfield, as he had only a cameo appearance in right field in extra innings of the 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 28, 2024, where he did end up making a nice diving grab.

He only played one game in right field in the minors and started seven games in center field with Double-A Altoona, which came back in 2022. He also played 15 games in right field as a freshman at Houston in 2017.

Triolo is a fantastic infield defensive player, winning a Gold Glove Award as a utiltiy player in 2024 and should've won it again in 2025, but was a finalist.

The Pirates would best use him in the four infield spots and with Mangum back, plus a new outfielder coming up, it doesn't make much sense to put him back in right field.

Pittsburgh will look to give Triolo some opportunities when they can, so there's a chance he does play in right field again in the near future.