Nick Gonzales DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales (ankle) is going on the 10-day injured list on Friday after suffering a non-displaced left-ankle fracture in the Opening Day loss to the Miami Marlins on Thursday, according to manager Derek Shelton. In a corresponding move, the team is recalling infielder Enmanuel Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis. The 25-year-old Gonzales hit a two-run home run on Opening Day but was hobbling pretty badly while trotting around the bases and was immediately removed from the game. Pittsburgh's starting lineup for Friday's contest in Miami has yet to be announced, but veteran Adam Frazier, who replaced Gonzales at the keystone on Thursday, will likely make the start at second base against right-hander Connor Gillispie. There's no timetable for Gonzales, but fantasy managers should expect him to miss at least a month of action, if not more.

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales (ankle) went 1-for-3 with his first home run of the season, a run scored, two RBI and two strikeouts in the team's 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins on Opening Day on Thursday, but he was also removed early due to recurrent left-ankle discomfort. Gonzales went deep for a two-run homer in the sixth inning and hobbled around the bases before being pulled. The 25-year-old will be examined by the team's medical staff before the Bucs provide an update on his status. Consider him day-to-day for now, but we'd be surprised if he's back in the starting lineup on Friday in Miami. Veteran Adam Frazier took over for Gonzales at the keystone on Thursday and walked in his only plate appearance. If Gonzales is forced to miss extended time with his ankle injury, Frazier would likely take over as the regular at second base in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales is viewed as the team's primary second baseman. Last season, Gonzales logged a career-high 94 games at the MLB level and is poised to surpass that total in 2025. Across this stint last season, Gonzales held a .270/.311/.398 line with 19 doubles and seven home runs. He swiped five bags while holding an underwhelming 18:74 BB:K. He generated a strong .270 xBA which placed him in the 84th percentile among qualified hitters. The former seventh round selection of the 2020 MLB Draft also flashed elite speed as he placed in the 93rd percentile in sprint speed. However, from a power perspective, he posted a modest 36.9 percent hard-hit rate. Gonzales is a solid late-round middle infield option as he will have an everyday spot in the Pittsburgh lineup.