Pirates Manager Pleased With How Players Have Stepped Up To Replace Injuries

Pirates Manager Pleased With How Players Have Stepped Up To Replace Injuries originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The Pittsburgh Pirates have been hindered by some key injuries, but they have seen some other players step up.

>Pittsburgh has been without star center fielder Oneil Cruz, who’s been on the injured list since June 8. Konnor Griffin also came back this weekend from the injured list, but with the injuries, the likes of Jake Mangum, Tyler Callahan, and Esmerlyn Valdez have stepped up.

>Callihan and Valdez both hit home runs in the Pirates' 9-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds to avoid being swept, which manager Don Kelly was pleased with.

>“You can't go in there and try to replace Oneil,” Kelly said postgame on Sunday. “Other guys throughout the lineup have power, and certainly don't want them going up there just trying to hit homers because Oneil is not in there. I think we've done a good job of staying within ourselves, and have been doing well, really well offensively. And we've got some areas that we can grow, like we saw today.”

>Although the Pirates have gotten some help from depth players, getting Cruz back will be key for Pittsburgh. However, he isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break.

>So, for now, Callihan will continue to try to replace the void of Cruz.

>“He does something crazy every game,” Callihan said of Cruz. “He's a guy that you come to the game and you're gonna see something you've never seen before, whether it's him just running super fast or making a crazy throw or hitting a ball 120 miles an hour. Obviously, it's not something I'm gonna do, but I can try my best to get on base and make the plays I need to.”

>Pittsburgh is 42-42.

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