Hayes needs to put back issues behind him

Ke’Bryan Hayes repeated the words “definitely frustrating” over and over, reinforcing that he wasn’t pleased with anything related to his health or performance when discussing the 2024 season.

After winning the NL Gold Glove at third base and being voted team MVP, the 27-yearold Hayes was entering his prime and expected to ascend into All-Star status for the Pirates this season.

Instead, his bothersome back issues forced Hayes to go on the injured list on Aug. 19 after the Pirates had lost 13 of 16 games, including 10 in a row, to drop out of wild card contention. Hayes never returned, ending his season four games short of 100 for the second time in four years.

“It was definitely frustrating because my biggest goal was to be available every day and not have to go on the IL,” Hayes told TribLive. “It was definitely frustrating having to do that. I had to go it twice and it ended my season. We were right there in the hunt. It was definitely frustrating not being out there competing with my teammates.”

It was definitely frustrating for the Pirates, too. Hayes might have been their most disappointing player this season. That’s saying something, considering the offensive regression of outfielder Jack Suwinski that forced his demotion to the minor leagues and the way two-time All-Star David Bednar lost the closer role.

If the Pirates wanted to put a positive spin on a definitely frustrating season, they could consider this: They won 76 games in 2023 despite having Oneil Cruz for only nine games, then had the same record this season despite getting very limited production from Hayes. With both healthy and playing their best behind a pitching staff that features Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller, the Pirates should be better.

For now, that’s simply wishful thinking.

The Pirates invested in Hayes with an eight-year, $70 million contract in April 2022 that was the richest deal in franchise history. They viewed Hayes as a cornerstone for their rebuild, and his elite defense at the hot corner alone made it appear a bargain.

Per FanGraphs player valuations, Hayes produced 10.1 WAR in his first four seasons in the major leagues. With 1.0 WAR being valued at roughly $8 million, Hayes was worth $24.8 million in 2022 and $25.3 million in 2023, when he batted .271/.309/.453, tied for the team lead with 31 doubles and had career-bests of 15 home runs and 61 RBIs.

“Signing a long-term extension, it shows the belief the organization has in you,” Hayes said. “I was definitely grateful to be in that position. Being a player that came through this organization, I want to win here. It’s the only organization I’ve known. I love to win. Whatever I’m doing, I’m very competitive and I want to win. It’s been frustrating for me.”

Hayes’ health has become an obstacle not only to his success but that of the Pirates. He has had five IL stints the past four years, starting with a left hand/wrist issue that cost him two months at the start of the 2021 season. The back problems began in August 2022 but caused him to miss all but one game in July 2023 and flared up again in May.

Hayes was placed on the injured list on May 11, the same day that pitching phenom Paul Skenes made his major league debut. Talk about your poor timing.

The lumbar spine issue caused inflammation and limited his rotational ability on his swing and affected his lateral movement on defense. Hayes still tied for the second-highest defensive runs saved (10) of all third basemen, behind San Francisco’s Matt Chapman, but that’s down from 24 DRS in 2022 and 21 last season.

Offensively, however, Hayes was a mess. In 93 starts at third base, Hayes batted .232/.283/.291 with nine doubles, four homers and 25 RBIs. By comparison, Jared Triolo hit .220/.290/.337 with four doubles, six homers and 30 RBIs in 60 starts at third base for the Pirates.

“A simple rule with backs is that they bother you when they bother you and they are limiting, and I think that was absolutely the case this year with Ke’Bryan,” Cherington said in August. “It was limiting in terms of his performance.”

Hayes admits that his weight might have been an issue. Listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Hayes says he played somewhere between 208-210 in his first full season in the majors. At his heaviest, he suspects he weighed closer to 225. Hayes has dropped close to 10 pounds over the past six weeks and intends to be even lighter next season.

“In ’22, I didn’t know if I was too skinny, so I added weight. This year I added a little bit more,” Hayes said. “Throughout the beginning of the year, I feel like I’ve added a little weight that I think kind of hurt me a little bit.”

Hayes learned to deal with discomfort in his back, saying his best relief was taking dose packs and getting rest. When the pain became intolerable, the Pirates finally shut Hayes down and sought second opinions. He visited a leading spine surgeon, Dr. Robert Watkins, who specializes in minimally invasive procedures.

“More and more, I’ve sat and thought about the surgery option and don’t really want that because the downtime would be so extensive. With the back you never know. Right now, I don’t think that’s something I want to do.”

Hayes opted to follow a strength and conditioning rehabilitation program on the BackDoctor app created by Watkins, which has five levels to follow that take about 80 minutes each to complete per day. Hayes started on Level 3 and was getting close to advancing to the final level when the season ended. He has returned to lifting weights and believes strengthening his core has helped alleviate some of the back pain.

But before he gets too optimistic, Hayes must pass a major test by swinging a bat for the first time in about six weeks. ant to say that (it’s getting better). It’s just hard to know right now because I haven’t hit in so long,” Hayes said. “I feel pretty good right now. The stuff has calmed down a little bit. My core feels a lot stronger in everyday movements. I’m more aware of my posture and my core and how I’m standing. That’s definitely a plus for anyone but there’s still a lot of work to do. It’s something I’ve got to stay on top of. It’s really an everyday thing.”

Hayes remains optimistic that he will be ready for next season. Publicly, the Pirates are counting on him to be their starting third baseman. Privately, you have to wonder whether they still believe in Hayes.

“Ke’Bryan is so important to us coming back,” Cherington said Sunday on his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan. “Fully expect him to be back at spring training next year.”

Whether the Pirates would explore trading Hayes is another story. He’s owed $7 million per season through 2029, a bargain if he’s healthy and an albatross if his back problems persist. Pirates chairman Bob Nutting has shown little patience for paying players that underperform their contracts in the past, including fan favorite Andrew McCutchen.

With the acquisition of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a 2020 AL Gold Glove winner who will make $7.5 million next season, and the return of Triolo, the Pirates have strong defenders at third base. They could try to package Hayes, perhaps with a starting pitcher, to acquire a power bat to play first base or a corner outfield spot.