Pirates Rookie Tyler Callihan Has Full-Circle Moment
· Yahoo Sports
The last time Tyler Callihan made a start in a major-league game, he was injured so badly that doctors initially feared his career might be over.
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That was on May 5, 2025. Callihan was playing left field for the Cincinnati Reds in a game against the Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta. Callihan was chasing a long fly ball when he crashed into the fence and went to ground in pain while Matt Olson circled the bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run.
Callihan fractured his left forearm so severely that he needed three surgeries to fix it. However, Callihan not only has been able to continue playing, but is back in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who recalled him from Triple-A Indianapolis last week.
On Saturday, Callihan made his first MLB start since his gruesome injury. The game was at Truist Park.
The rookie played third base and went 1 for 3 with an RBI double and a walk in the Pirates’ 6-3 loss to the Braves. Pittsburgh will try to avert a three-game series sweep on Sunday.
"It felt amazing," Callihan told reporters after the game. "Obviously, given everything that happened here, a full-circle moment, but I'm just happy to be here."
Pirates manager Don Kelly is also happy to have Callihan, who is providing infield depth while rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is on the injured list with a right forearm strain. Pittsburgh acquired Callihan from the Reds during spring training in a trade for reliever Kyle Nicolas.
"He had great at-bats today," Kellysaid. "Swung the bat well. Had the lineout, then the double, the big walk to start that one inning."
Callihan, 25, has appeared in four games with the Pirates, going 2 for 6 with two doubles, two RBIs, and three walks. For Indianapolis, the left-handed hitter batted just .223/.305/.346 with five home runs and eight stolen bases in 49 games.
"I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be,” Callihan said. “Thank you to all the guys here, all the players helping me out throughout the last week while I've been hitting (batting practice). Made some big strides, and I feel good where I'm at."
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