Tyler Callihan’s Return to Atlanta With Pirates Marks Full-Circle Moment After Gruesome Injury
Tyler Callihan barely had time to appreciate his first chance in the major leagues before suffering a devastating injury that left him wondering if a career that was only just beginning was instead already over.
Callihan, then with the Cincinnati Reds, was called up for his big-league debut last year on April 30. Two games later, he got his first big-league hit against the Washington Nationals at Great American Ballpark.
But in the fourth game of his career against the Braves in Atlanta on May 5, Callihan fractured his left forearm after crashing into the wall in foul ground in left field.
“I didn’t think I was going to play again, especially the day that it happened,” Callihan told Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
The Reds placed him on the 10-day injured list the following day and moved him to the 60-day IL three days after that. A grueling rehab process was only just beginning.
Callihan required three surgeries on his extensive injury. Again, he questioned if his playing days were over.
“As I started to progress, my first day I started hitting again after my second surgery, I thought it was never gonna happen,” he said.
Fortunately for Callihan, the third time was the charm. Callihan’s final time going under the knife provided him with the relief he was looking for, and he returned to the field for the Reds during spring training.
“I ended up having the third surgery, and after that, it felt significantly better,” he explained. “Just grinded it out every day, doing what you’re supposed to do, and it’s nice to see that it all paid off.”
Callihan’s long recovery from a serious injury was not only a physical grind, but also one that took a mental toll. Thankfully, the 25-year-old has a “trooper” of a wife, Catherine, who in addition to the Reds medical staff, was instrumental in getting him through it all.
“People do not give enough credit to wives in this game,” Callihan explained. “I give all the props to her.”
Callihan’s journey back to the big leagues took another turn when he was traded by the Reds to the Pittsburgh Pirates for relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas on March 5.
After some initial shock wore off, his transition from the Reds to the Pirates has been a smooth one.
“I felt very welcomed when I got to the clubhouse in spring training. It was huge to get that week or two in spring training, because the second I walked in here I already felt comfortable with everybody,” he explained. “They welcomed me with open arms, even the vets. They’re all great dudes.”
Callihan began the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, but the Pirates recalled him last Thursday to give them some extra infield depth.
On Friday, Callihan will return to the field where his gruesome injury happened. But this time, he will celebrate his return to Atlanta, and for more reasons than one.
Exactly one month after getting hurt, Tyler and Catherine welcomed their son, Crew, into the world. Crew’s birthday coincides with the first game of the series between the Pirates and Braves.
“It’s gonna be my son’s first birthday, too. That’ll be really cool,” Callihan said of what will be an emotional return to Truist Park. “I’m definitely gonna take a picture by that wall. It will definitely be full-circle.”
Back in the place where he thought his career ended, Callihan’s second stint in the big leagues is one that comes with a different perspective. Between the birth of his son and the adversity he had to overcome, Callihan is thankful for every moment of it.
“I’m very grateful to be back,” he said. “There were plenty of times where I thought I’d never step on a baseball field again. It was huge for me to get back here and prove myself from an injury like that. The grit that I have and my family that was with me all just coming together is great.”
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