Pirates Announce Austin Hedges, Robert Stephenson Back From Injury

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated catcher Austin Hedges from the 7-day concussion list on Friday, per a team announcement.

Hedges, 30, took a foul ball off his face mask during the Pirates’ opening series in Cincinnati and hasn’t played since. The club sent catcher Tyler Heineman, who they added to the 40-man roster after Hedges’ injury, down to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

The team also activated right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson, who missed the start of the season with right elbow inflammation. Stephenson pitched to an 8.10 ERA across 3.1 innings in four relief appearances with Indianapolis during his rehab assignment. 

It’s not all good news for the Pirates on the short-term injury front. The team also announced that right-handed pitcher Chase De Jong was placed on the 15-day injured list with a lumbar spine muscle strain, retroactive to April 13.