Sports · Baseball · 1 hr ago
Pirates Plan to Keep Ryan O’Hearn Mostly at First Base and DH
The Pittsburgh Pirates want Ryan O’Hearn to play less right field as they shape their roster.
General manager Ben Cherington said O’Hearn is expected to rotate between first base and designated hitter with Spencer Horwitz.
O’Hearn started 42 games in right field last season and had two stints on the injured list with quad strains.
Pittsburgh has not settled on an everyday right fielder; rookie Esmerlyn Valdez and Jake Mangum are among the internal options.
Valdez hit 17 home runs in 72 games, but struck out often and must earn a regular role, Cherington said.
The Pirates may also consider signing a right-handed outfielder to add options, while O’Hearn and Mangum could provide alternatives.
The Pirates plan to limit Ryan O’Hearn’s time in the outfield and use him mostly at first base and designated hitter.
General manager Ben Cherington said O’Hearn is expected to rotate at those positions with Spencer Horwitz.
The club would prefer O’Hearn to make only occasional starts or late-game appearances in right field.
O’Hearn made 42 starts in right field, 36 at first base and 25 at designated hitter in 2026.
The Pirates could give more right-field opportunities to rookie Esmerlyn Valdez, but Cherington said he still has “some earning to do.”
- Who
- The Pittsburgh Pirates and first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn.
- What
- The Pirates plan to limit O’Hearn’s outfield appearances and rotate him at first base and designated hitter with Spencer Horwitz.
- When
- Cherington outlined the plan this week at the GM Meetings; the article was published November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Pittsburgh.
- Why
- O’Hearn had poor defensive results in right field and missed time with quad strains.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
O’Hearn made 42 starts in right field, 36 at first base and 25 at designated hitter.
Marcell Ozuna’s tenure with the Pirates ended.
Cherington said the team wants to limit O’Hearn’s time in the outfield.
- O’Hearn contract
- Two years, $29 million
- Right-field starts
- 42 in 2026
- First-base starts
- 36 in 2026
- Designated-hitter starts
- 25 in 2026
- Valdez home runs
- 17 in 72 games as a rookie
What people are saying
some earning to do