Pirates rookie Valdez leaves game with hand injury
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmeryln Valdez was removed from Monday night's game against Arizona after being hit in the left hand by a pitch. Valdez, who has 14 homers in limited playing time this season, took a 92 mph fastball from Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly that smacked into the area around his left wrist. The 22-year-old Valdez, who entered Monday with 24 RBIs in July, winced in pain while being tended to by medical staff. He walked slowly toward the Pittsburgh dugout and was replaced by Jared Triolo. Valdez's emergence has helped the ...