PITTSBURGH -- On June 24 against the Mariners, Spencer Horwitz felt something he’d never felt before. Horwitz was busting it down the first-base line in the third inning when he felt his left hamstring grab. He was removed from the game the following frame and still felt some pain, knowing something was wrong.
Horwitz landed on the 10-day injured list on June 25 with a left hamstring strain, the first soft tissue injury of his baseball career. The Pirates infielder returned to action Tuesday night in a rehab assignment for Single-A Bradenton, where he played five innings to “get his feet back under” him.
Horwitz played first base and went 1-for-1 with a single and two walks, scoring twice.
“No one obviously wants to get injured, and where this team is headed and what our goals are, it was definitely frustrating,” Horwitz told MLB.com over the phone on Tuesday. “For myself personally, I was performing pretty well. So to have a hamstring, it's definitely frustrating.”
The 28-year-old was enjoying the best year of his career before hitting the IL, batting .280 with an .841 OPS primarily out of the leadoff spot, and playing first base every day. Horwitz remained with the Pirates for about 10 days to finish their homestand and travel to Philadelphia before heading to Pirate City to begin a rehab assignment. He went through a running progression, live at-bats, defense and a full workday to prepare for game action Tuesday.
Horwitz has kept track of the Major League club while away, pointing out the emergence of Esmerlyn Valdez and Jake Mangum, along with newcomer Jacob Gonzalez and close friend Nick Gonzales.
“You’ve got to find the positives in everything. But I'd say for this injury so far, what I've learned is that I love the team that I'm with, and those guys are awesome,” Horwitz said. “And the atmosphere that we've created, it just makes me miss it that much being away from it. I guess I was taking it for granted a little bit when I was in it every day, and being away from it for a little bit makes me realize how special that group is.”
Horwitz said he isn’t exactly sure of a timeline for his return, but wants to make sure he’s 100% healthy when the time comes. Bradenton manager Gera Alvarez added that Horwitz is expected to be with the club through the week.
When Horwitz does return for the Pirates, he knows they’ll be in for a playoff push.
“They're playing great ball, and the camaraderie of that group and the culture that has been created there is seriously something special,” Horwitz said. “And I miss it. I miss it every day, and watching it's been fun. But living it is way more fun.”