By ISABEL BALDWIN

Just six innings into the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season, Nick Gonzales suffered one of the weirdest injuries in baseball. 

The second baseman hit a home run in the Pirates’ Opening Day loss against the Marlins in Miami but it was immediately clear that something was wrong. 

After smashing the two-run blast to the right, Gonzales was seen limping and staggering around the bases as he trotted home. 

On the replay, he was spotted puling up with a little skip before reaching first and he was then lifted from the game for Adam Frazier. 

‘Just watching him run around the bases, just didn’t like what we saw,’ Pirates manager Derek Shelton told reporters after the game. 

It was later revealed that Gonzales had suffered a nondisplaced left ankle fracture and he was placed on the 10-day injured lust. 

Nick Gonzales suffered a freak injury during the Pittsburgh Pirates' Opening Day

Nick Gonzales suffered a freak injury during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Opening Day 

The second baseman hit a home run in the sixth inning of the loss to the Miami Marlins

The second baseman hit a home run in the sixth inning of the loss to the Miami Marlins 

The 25-year-old pulled up as he began his home run trot and suffered a left ankle fracture

The 25-year-old pulled up as he began his home run trot and suffered a left ankle fracture

He was reportedly scheduled to return to Pittsburgh to be examined by a foot specialist. There is currently no timetable for his return. 

The Pirates called up utility player Enmanuel Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill the vacant roster spot. 

‘Versatility, left-handed ability to hit,’ Shelton said of Valdez. ‘We knew he could hit when we acquired him. Valdy has shown the ability to hit. The fact that he can play all over the diamond is something that we kinda value.’ 

The 25-year-old Gonzales was originally injured in spring training when he fouled a ball off his ankle.

He made his MLB debut in 2023 and hit .270 with 49 RBIs in 94 games last season. 

The Pirates went on to be walked off by Kyle Stowers and the Marlins in a 4-3 defeat at LoanDepot Park. 

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Sickening moment Pirates star Nick Gonzales suffers freak injury after hitting home run

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