Pirates DH/1B lands on IL with Achilles strain

The Pirates announced they have placed first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Friday with a strained left Achilles. Infielder Tucupita Marcano has been recalled from Triple-A.

Choi, 31, was off to a slow start with the Pirates, hitting just .125/.125/.344 with a pair of home runs through his first 32 plate appearances of the year. He was scratched from Friday’s match with the Cardinals, and evidently the Pirates have determined his injury bad enough that it’ll require a stint on the IL. The severity of the strain remains unclear, so it’s unknown if Choi is expected to return after the mandatory time away or the Achilles might take a little longer to heal.

It’ll give the Pirates another chance to take a look at Marcano. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Padres in the Adam Frazier deal last year and hit .206/.256/.306 in 177 plate appearances for the Bucs in 2022. He’s fared better in Triple-A, slashing a solid .291/.388/.443 last season and tearing the cover off the ball to start 2023, hitting .422/.458/.689 over 48 plate appearances. To date, that level of hitting hasn’t translated to the big leagues, but it’s clear Marcano is deserving of another look in the big leagues.

Choi’s absence will mean Carlos Santana gets the bulk of the reps at first base, with the team likely to cycle players through the DH spot. Marcano bounced around the diamond last season, but spent most of his time at second and in left field.