Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan that Horwitz avoided getting hit in the jaw<\/a>, thanks to his C-Flap on his helmet, but that they were still checking to make sure he was good before they activated him.<\/p>\n Horwitz Almost Came Back From Other Injury<\/p>\n Horwitz came back to Pittsburgh on July 26, as the Pirates wanted to see if he could get back following his left hamstring injury, that landed him on the 10-day injured list<\/a> on June 25.<\/p>\n That injury came when he tried to beat out a double play in the 11-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park on June 24, but departed following it. <\/p>\n Jun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (2) rounds the bases on a solo home run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n He went down to Bradenton, Fla. and worked back to make sure he could return fully from his hamstring injury, which is a tricky one to come back from, with it being a soft tissue injury.<\/p>\n Horwitz performed well in his three games on his rehab assignment, with two hits in six at-bats, three walks to two strikeouts and the solo home run.<\/p>\n Kelly noted that Horwitz had a headache on July 26 and that those symptoms haven’t subsided, so they will keep checking to see when he can come back.<\/p>\n Horwitz also won’t have to go on the injured list for his concussion, as he is still on the 10-day injured list. <\/p>\n Where Pirates Will Look to with Horwitz Still Out<\/p>\n The Pirates will continue to rely on Ryan O’Hearn<\/a> at first base in Horwitz’s absence and hope that Horwitz comes back sooner rather than later. <\/p>\n O’Hearn has started 22 games at first base and has played in almost every game since Horwitz’s injury, slashing .253\/.336\/.455 for an OPS of .791, with 25 hits, two doubles, six home runs, 24 RBI and 10 walks to 27 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Jul 7, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (29) circles the bases on a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The Pirates also have a few other options at first base, with utility man Tyler Callihan starting five games there, catcher Endy Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> making one start and infielder Jacob Gonzalez could play there too.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh will hope that Horwitz isn’t gone too long, as he was a key part of the lineup when he was healthy and will be once again when he returns. <\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kyn3w3xeqe3mqsxpfk.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kyn4qfqgbrjh2rqhsq.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google