Tyler Callihan's Heroic Performance Propels Pirates to Victory Over Dodgers The Pittsburgh Pirates secured a dramatic 9-8 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling matchup at PNC Park, thanks to a standout performance from rookie Tyler Callihan. Callihan, who had already hit his first Major League Baseball home run earlier in the game against Shohei Ohtani, delivered another unforgettable moment by launching a three-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning. The home run flipped the game in the Pirates’ favor, ending a four-game losing streak and showcasing Callihan’s emerging talent. Callihan’s heroics began in the fourth inning when he launched a solo home run off Ohtani, marking his first career MLB hit. The game took a pivotal turn in the seventh when Brandon Lowe doubled to plate two runs, extending the Pirates’ lead to 6-3 and prompting the Dodgers to pull Ohtani from the mound. Despite Oht, who entered the game with a sparkling 0.74 ERA, the Pirates continued to chip away, with Callihan adding a second home run in the eighth inning. The game remained tense until the ninth, where Gregory Soto closed it out, though Ohtani managed to hit a home run in the final frame. The Pirates’ offensive resurgence came at a critical time. Entering the game, Pittsburgh had struggled to score runs, averaging just 2.75 per contest over the previous four games. The team’s struggles were compounded by the absence of Oneil Cruz, who was sidelined with a hand injury. Cruz’s absence created an opportunity for Callihan, who started in right field and batted seventh. “I don’t know if anybody could fill his void. He’s spectacular,” Callihan said, acknowledging Cruz’s impact while expressing confidence in the team’s ability to adapt. Callihan’s performance was a testament to his resilience.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #pittsburgh_pirates #pnc_park #tyler_callihan
Pirates Recall Tyler Callihan as Konnor Griffin Battles Forearm Soreness The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday evening, adding depth to the infield as rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin continues to deal with right forearm soreness. Griffin, who remains available for future games, was not in the starting lineup for the team’s matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Callihan’s promotion was part of a roster adjustment that also included optioning outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez back to Triple-A. Callihan, a 25-year-old infielder/outfielder acquired by the Pirates in early March in exchange for reliever Kyle Nicolas, was called up to provide versatility at the infield. At the time of his recall, he had appeared in 49 games for Indianapolis, posting a batting line of .223/.305/.346 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Defensively, he has played multiple positions, including second base (10 starts), third base (19), left field (16), and right field (1). Callihan, a third-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2019 MLB Draft, made his major-league debut with the Reds in 2025, appearing in four games. His minor-league career spans 445 games, with an overall batting average of .258. The Pirates’ decision to recall him reflects their need for infield flexibility as Griffin’s status remains uncertain. Valdez, the Pirates’ No. 9 prospect, made his MLB debut on May 22. Through his first five games, he was hitting .125, with two of his hits being home runs. His performance in the majors has not yet demonstrated consistent production, but his power potential remains a notable attribute. The Pirates’ move to recall Callihan underscores their focus on managing injuries and maintaining depth in the infield.#pittsburgh_pirates #konnor_griffin #triple_a_indianapolis #esmerlyn_valdez #tyler_callihan
Pirates Make Roster Adjustments with Valdez Optioned and Callihan Recalled The Pittsburgh Pirates made several roster adjustments on Thursday, optioning outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalling infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan to bolster infield depth. The moves came as the team navigated injuries and positional needs, particularly with shortstop Konnor Griffin sidelined due to right forearm soreness. Griffin, who was not in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, remains available off the bench, with Jared Triolo starting at shortstop and batting eighth in the order. Valdez, who was recalled by the Pirates on Friday, appeared in five games during his brief stint with the major league club. In 16 at-bats, he recorded two hits, both of which were home runs, and drove in five runs. He also drew two walks in 18 plate appearances but struck out nine times. Prior to his promotion, the 22-year-old outfielder had performed well at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a .253/.381/.506 batting line with 10 doubles, 10 home runs, and 29 RBI in 46 games. His strong performance at the minor league level likely contributed to his call-up, though his limited impact at the major league level suggests the Pirates may have opted to send him back to the minors for further development. The decision to recall Callihan was driven by the team’s need for infield depth, particularly as Griffin’s injury created a gap in the lineup. The 25-year-old infielder, acquired by the Pirates during spring training in a trade that sent right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas to the Cincinnati Reds, had already made an impression at Triple-A. In 49 games with Indianapolis this season, Callihan hit .223 with a .651 OPS, six doubles, one triple, five home runs, 16 RBI, and eight stolen bases.#pittsburgh_pirates #konnor_griffin #esmerlyn_valdez #tyler_callihan #jared_trioo
