ARLINGTON -- Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe is dealing with discomfort in his left knee, forcing him out of the starting lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday.
“We’re day to day right now,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said before the Pirates' 5-1 loss to the Rangers. “A little discomfort in his left knee. He’s feeling a lot better and trending in a positive direction.”
The Pirates made another injury move shortly before first pitch, scratching Spencer Horwitz with neck discomfort. That prompted Ryan O’Hearn to shift to first base and Jake Mangum to play right field.
Kelly said Horwitz will be reevaluated on Wednesday.
With Lowe sidelined, Nick Gonzales started at second base.
Lowe has started the season strong, batting .267 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs. On the road, he is batting .308 with five homers and nine RBIs.
Lowe has been strong against the Rangers of late, too, with a seven-game hitting streak against them that started on July 7, 2024. He is 10-for-28 (.357) with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs and three runs.
The Pirates acquired Lowe via a three-team trade in the offseason.
Horwitz, meanwhile, is batting .255 with two home runs and five RBIs in 20 games, including 17 starts. He belted his first career pinch-hit home run on Sunday vs. the Rays.