CLEVELAND -- Already playing without leadoff-hitting left fielder Corey Dickerson, the Pirates were quickly dealt another blow on Wednesday as their winning streak stopped at 11 games.
Center fielder Starling Marte exited in the first inning of Pittsburgh's 4-0 loss on Wednesday at Progressive Field after being hit in the left hand by a 94.6-mph fastball from Indians starter Trevor Bauer. Marte initially remained in the game, despite being in obvious pain, and he was thrown out attempting to steal second base.
Marte wanted to remain in the game, he said through interpreter Mike Gonzalez, but decided he could not play through the pain in his left hand. He did not take his position in the bottom of the first inning, as Adam Frazier -- recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday morning -- entered the game to replace Marte in center field.
The Pirates announced Marte was removed due to left hand discomfort and is considered day to day. Marte said he felt better after the game, but he will be re-evaluated and undergo further tests when the team returns to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
"Life's not fair. The game's not fair at times. Things happen," manager Clint Hurdle said. "The best news we could have got was the news we got, as far as the severity of the injury. … It's a contusion. It's discomfort, a lot of discomfort. We'll see where it goes, but when those things happen, you hear them, you never know. We'll see how he bounces back."
Marte's 17-game hitting streak remains intact, even after his early exit, because he did not register an official at-bat.
Other than Dickerson, who was sidelined on Wednesday due to left hamstring discomfort, Marte has been the Pirates' hottest hitter. The center fielder is batting .384/.416/.726 with seven homers and 20 RBIs this month, and he has put together an 18-game on-base streak.
"Man, he's been hot. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious. Hopefully, we get him back soon," starter Jameson Taillon said. "We kind of go as he goes. He's been setting the table. He's been hot. It's probably not a coincidence that since his hit streak and his strong play, we've been winning games."