Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Hunter Stratton tore the patella tendon in his left knee during the fourth inning of Saturday night’s 10-2 loss to Cincinnati and will be out for a “significant time,” according to manager Derek Shelton.
Stratton was pitching to Tyler Stephenson with two runners on base and one out when he threw a wild pitch. Pirates catcher Joey Bart chased the ball down and tossed it to Stratton, but he missed it.
The ball rolled to the backstop, and Stratton slid while trying to get it. He fell awkwardly and grabbed his left leg in pain.
Stratton had just come into the game to replace an ineffective Jake Woodford. He was ahead in the count 0-2 before the wild pitch allowed Jonathan India and Elly De La Cruz to score, increasing Cincinnati’s lead to 8-2.
Stratton was substituted by Jalen Beeks.
The 27-year-old Stratton had been effective out of the bullpen this season, with a 2-1 record and a 3.58 ERA in 35 appearances before the injury.
