Nick Gonzales DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Tuesday that they reinstated infielder Nick Gonzales (ankle) from the 60-day injured list and optioned infielder/outfielder Nick Solak to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Additionally, right-hander Kyle Nicolas was recalled from Indianapolis. Gonzales is back at second base and is hitting sixth on Tuesday against the visiting Houston Astros and right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. The 26-year-old has been out since late March due to a fractured ankle, but he's back now and should see most of the playing time at the keystone in Pittsburgh, making him worth a waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in deep-mixed leagues looking for middle-infield depth. The former seventh overall pick in 2020 out of New Mexico State only played in one game before his injury. He had seven homers, 49 RBI and five steals with a .270 average in a career-high 94 games played in 2024.

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.