This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
PHILADELPHIA -- Spencer Horwitz walked into the visitor’s clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park with a smile. After he laced up his cleats, he turned around and offered to shake hands, with the extra tape and bandages on his wrist apparent.
There’s no cause for alarm, just a little extra protection for his surgically repaired right wrist, but given the amount that has already been written about that wrist, some initial trepidation is (hopefully) understandable.
"It's been a whirlwind of emotions, from getting traded to finding out I need surgery to going through the rehab process,” Horwitz said. “It's created a whole new perspective for me, and I'm extremely grateful to be here right now."
Right here, right now is on the precipice of his long-awaited Pirates debut. Horwitz wasn’t active for Friday’s game against the Phillies, but he should be this weekend, given the number of days he had available from the start of his rehab assignment.
His addition to an offense that currently is second-to-last in MLB in runs scored could be a much-needed boost. His offensive skillset -- a high on-base percentage guy who controls the strike zone and draws walks -- could make him an ideal leadoff hitter, allowing Oneil Cruz to go back to the middle of the order. There’s also some pop in there, and with the short right field porch at PNC Park, perhaps he could play in the middle of the order.
Regardless of where he hits, just getting another quality bat in there will help.
Horwitz was projected to be the Pirates’ biggest offensive addition this offseason, sending Luis L. Ortiz and a pair of prospects to the Guardians for the infielder. He had a breakout campaign with the Blue Jays in 2024, slashing .265/.357/.433 with 12 home runs over 381 plate appearances. With Pittsburgh, he was set to get his first real chance as an everyday player.
Those plans were put on hold. While building up for Spring Training, Horwitz reported discomfort in the wrist. He ended up needing surgery, putting the Pirates in a bind at first base. It didn’t help that the two backups in place, Endy Rodríguez and Enmanuel Valdez, would also end up hitting the injured list, making a bad situation worse.
For weeks, all Horwitz could do was watch and progress with his rehab. But even as the Pirates got off to their slow start, he saw a reason for hope.
"I've seen a lot of fight,” Horwitz said. “Obviously the record and number of wins is not what we wanted. Coming in here, the clubhouse seems together. I think that's really important. I just watched the series with the Mets really closely, and they're all really good [games], and it's a ball to the left and a robbed home run away from winning. I think we start piecing it together a little more and keep being a little more consistent and it will get better."
Getting a little better every day has been Horwitz’s life since the surgery a little over three months ago. He started to feel like himself again whenever he was able to take batting practice outside for the first time about five weeks ago, putting him on the path toward his return.
“Just counting those small victories -- it first was taking ground balls in the field, throwing, hitting, all of it -- it's been a reminder of why I do this," Horwitz said.
If this offense is going to get going, Horwitz is very likely going to have to be at the center of the turnaround. That doesn’t mean he can make up a quarter of a season’s worth of production out of the gate, something that manager Don Kelly is ready to hammer home if necessary.
“Having that conversation with him and just having him calm down, stay within himself and come out and not put that pressure on himself to go out and try to get a month and a half back,” Kelly said. “... Just go play baseball.”
It sounds like that’s just what Horwitz is planning to do.
"I'm just going to try to be me, and I think that will be enough,” Horwitz said. “Just go out there, give quality at-bats and help share some information and learn and play at the same time. I'm super excited."