Pirates Reinstate Isiah-Kiner Falefa, Option Alika Williams
Another player acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline is joining the team. The Pirates have reinstated infielder/outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the 10-day injured list. He’s in the Pirates’ starting lineup on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, batting sixth and playing second base.
Kiner-Falefa, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for prospect Charles McAdoo, has been on the IL since July 2 with a left knee sprain. The 29-year-old continued his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Friday night and went 2 for 4 with a double.
Prior to getting injured, Kiner-Falefa was having his best season at the plate of his seven-year career. In 82 games in his first year with Toronto, he posted a .292/.338/.420 batting line with eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 33 RBIs.
Defensively, Kiner-Falefa has played every position except for first base. Most of his work has come on the left side of the infield and he won a Gold Glove at third base while with the Texas Rangers in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Manager Derek Shelton said that he will play mostly second base initially in wake of Nick Gonzales’ injury.
Kiner-Falefa will be the third Pirates’ trade acquisition to play for the Pirates since the deadline. Outfielder Bryan De La Cruz has started two games in right field and left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks has made a pair of appearances.
To make room for Kiner-Falefa on the active roster, the Pirates optioned Alika Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis. Williams has been up and down a few different times between the Pirates and Indianapolis this season. In 25 games, he’s hit .210 with a .536 OPS. In Triple-A, Williams has slashed .327/.421/.394 in 27 games.
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