\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The reason Perez was able to return so quickly was because of the type of UCL repair Shin has been pioneering in recent years. Performed on star athletes such as Mike Trout, Chris Paul and others, the procedure includes reinforcing the UCL repair with synthetic tape -- and cuts the time it takes to rehab in half.\n\n“It’s a pretty amazing surgery,” Perez said. “Whenever I have to get something done, after talking to the doctors, I usually search around on it and see what’s going to happen. This was a different type of surgery.”\n\nReferred to as a UCL repair with internal brace augmentation, this procedure includes the surgeon repairing the UCL as they normally would but then reinforcing that repair with the placement of the tape over the ligament. SutureTape, made by Arthrex, is just over a millimeter in width, yet is incredibly strong.\n\nThe tape is anchored over the thumb ligament, essentially forming a bridge.\n\n“Once you’re done with the regular sutures that are also secured in the hole in the bone, then you take the two suture tape tails and you bring them back over the ligament, to the metacarpal side,” Shin said. “So you anchor those tails into the bone with another anchor. If you picture it, it’s a ligament with two suture tape tails over it, acting as a seatbelt. It backs up your repair.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2022-08-20T01:58:29.847Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-08/19/3fba97c0-b4e9ea38-3f3db29a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Salvador Perez comes up clutch, delivering a great throw to get Roman Quinn at third and bring the Royals within an out of a win","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:27","slug":"scott-barlow-called-strike-to-francisco-mejia","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2022","title":"Season 2022","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-521692","title":"Salvador Perez","person":{"__ref":"Person:521692"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"defense","title":"defense","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"clutch-moment","title":"clutch moment","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/uec9uptw8fw4lnxp4iml"},"title":"Salvy catches Quinn stealing","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/scott-barlow-called-strike-to-francisco-mejia"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Coincidentally, the Royals were in L.A. when Perez tore his ligament. Kansas City's team physician, Dr. Vincent Key, connected Turner and Perez with Shin and set up an appointment for the next morning. After Shin confirmed that the ligament was torn and talked Perez through his options, surgery was scheduled for the next day.\n\n“The question from Sal is always, ‘What’s next?’” said Turner, who has worked with the Royals for more than a decade and rehabbed many of Perez’s injuries, including his very first one in Rookie ball in 2008. “He’s immediately going to, ‘How much time am I going to miss?' It’s typically a long conversation about his options, what it’s going to take.”\n\nPerez is as passionate about playing as anyone in baseball, and he’s skeptical of anything that’s going to stop him from doing that. But when he heard the timeline for a return, he gave his OK for surgery.\n\n“If getting surgery is going to ruin my season, I would rather put something on my thumb, finish the season and get surgery after,” Perez said. “But when the doctor says, 'Six to eight weeks,' I’m thinking, 'I can come back in three to four,' and that’s when I decided to do the surgery.”\n\nWith a UCL repair, too much movement too soon could damage the repair. In a standard repair, the thumb is typically placed in a cast for several weeks to allow the ligament time to sufficiently heal back to the bone. That’s why a return from a thumb UCL repair is so grueling. For example, in 2010, Royals outfielder David DeJesus had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right thumb in July and missed the rest of the year.\n\nWith the internal brace augmentation, though, the period of immobilization is merely a matter of days. The reinforcement offered by the tape is such that an athlete can begin range of motion activity within several days.\n\n“The tape is so strong that it basically acts as security for the ligament tear,” Shin said. “That’s why it gives us -- the surgeon and therapist -- the peace of mind to start motion, at least, because you know that repair is not going to be compromised. It’s being protected by the internal brace.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2022-08-06T03:17:20.488Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-08/05/ae3045dc-02966434-36a1fb7b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Statcast measures the exit velocity and projected distance of Salvador Perez's 454-foot home run against the Red Sox","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:42","slug":"salvador-perez-s-454-foot-homer-x3191","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-521692","title":"Salvador Perez","person":{"__ref":"Person:521692"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"player-tracking","title":"Statcast","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/xe81idvwtf67tf6tfbvz"},"title":"Salvador Perez's 454-foot homer","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/salvador-perez-s-454-foot-homer-x3191"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"With clearance from Shin and the Royals’ trainers, Perez began working with strengthening bands about three days after surgery. A little over two weeks post-operation, Perez was going through catching drills and swinging a bat.\n\n“I told them, ‘I’m not lying to you,’” Perez said. “I just didn’t feel any pain. It was amazing. I couldn’t believe it.”\n\nShin couldn’t believe it, either.\n\n“The first time I met Salvador Perez, I was like, ‘This guy’s a baller. He wants to play,’” Shin said. “He was actually the first patient who told me that after 10 days, he had no pain. No pain at all. I was pretty incredulous.”\n\nTurner and Royals rehab coordinator Jeff Blum worked with Perez on his progression, although it was hard to slow Perez down. Perez would have likely come back even sooner had Shin given clearance, but the surgeon didn’t want to push Perez too much.\n\n“It was just crazy,” Shin said. “No instability, no pain. He did really well. I could have maybe pushed him up a little bit and had him return to play quicker than anyone else, but he wasn’t the one I wanted to experiment with.\n\n“He’s one of the more impressive athletes I’ve ever treated.”","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/salvador-perez-s-quick-return-from-thumb-surgery","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers' Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"anne-rogers","title":"Anne Rogers","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-521692","title":"Salvador Perez","person":{"__ref":"Person:521692"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"injury","title":"injury","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/hucuuxutoixqlrrn9b2g","title":"Salvador Perez's quick return from thumb surgery"},"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/pit/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"t134-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"t134-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Ticket Info & Schedule","linkUrl":"/tickets/information-request","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/single-game-tickets","linkTarget":"","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Spring Training","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Assurance","linkUrl":"/tickets/assurance","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Promotions Schedule","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions/2021","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Ticket Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Family & Friends 4-Pack","linkUrl":"/tickets/packs/family-4-pack","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bucs Flex Plan","linkUrl":"/tickets/bucs-flex-plan","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Winter Warm Up Pack","linkUrl":"/tickets/packs/winter-warm-up-pack","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ballpark Pass","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/ballpark-pass","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1663862400;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"6 Pack+","linkUrl":"https://piratesflex.turnstyle.fan/","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mini Plans","linkUrl":"/tickets/mini-plans","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fan Value Deals","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/fan-values","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Events & Theme Nights","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"6-Pack Ticket Plan","linkUrl":"/tickets/packs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Theme Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Military Discount","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/military-discount","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Premium Seating","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Hospitality Areas","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets/hospitality-and-suites","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"My Pirates Tickets","linkUrl":"https://mlb.tickets.com/?agency=PIRM_MYTIXX&orgid=39910#/auth/login","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2022 Season Updates","linkUrl":"/fans/2022-updates","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1665003900;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Digital Ticketing","linkUrl":"/tickets/mobile/faqs","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Technology","linkUrl":"/tickets/mobile","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"3D Seating Map","linkUrl":"/ballpark/seating-map/3d","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"PNC Park Tours","linkUrl":"/ballpark/tours","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Concerts & Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rainout Policy","linkUrl":"/tickets/rainout-policy","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Ballpark App","linkUrl":"/apps/ballpark","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2020 Season Information","linkUrl":"/fans/2020-updates","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Info Request","linkUrl":"/tickets/information-request","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy & Sell Tickets on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/pittsburgh-pirates-tickets?aid=15985&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=pirates_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":"premium-seat","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Premium","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium","placement":"mobile","visible":"false","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"rewards","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"STH HQ","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"star","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"PiratesFest","linkUrl":"/fans/piratesfest","placement":null,"visible":"false","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Spring Training Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Regular Season Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Regular Season Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-03","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Promotions Schedule","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Theme Nights","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions/themes","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sortable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2024/fullseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Printable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/printable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Downloadable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/downloadable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcast Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/broadcast-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Classic Game Broadcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/classic-game-broadcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1595379600;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Radio Network","linkUrl":"/schedule/pirates-radio-network-affiliates","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Stats","linkUrl":"/stats/team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats?teamId=134","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Affiliate Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats/affiliates?teamId=134","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/team/134","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Rookie Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pirates/stats/national-league?playerPool=ROOKIES","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1606325156;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Roster","linkUrl":"/roster","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"40-Man Roster","linkUrl":"/roster/40-man","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Non-Roster Invitees","linkUrl":"/roster/nri","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Chart","linkUrl":"/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/roster/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Coaches","linkUrl":"/roster/coaches","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"/roster/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Updates","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pirates/news/topic/pirates-injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Draft Results","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/all/team/pirates","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Front Office","linkUrl":"/team/front-office","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcasters","linkUrl":"/team/broadcasters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Player Search","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/players","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Time Roster","linkUrl":"http://mlb.mlb.com/pit/history/players.jsp","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Minor League Affiliates","linkUrl":"https://www.milb.com/about/teams/by-affiliate#pittsburgh-pirates","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top 30 Prospects","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/pirates/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Video","linkUrl":"/video","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Run It Back","linkUrl":"/video/topic/run-it-back","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Productions","linkUrl":"/video/topic/pirates-productions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Charities","linkUrl":"/video/topic/pirates-community","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Game Recap","linkUrl":"/video/topic/pirates-game-recap","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Most Popular","linkUrl":"/video/topic/t134-default-vtp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Curtain Calls","linkUrl":"/video/topic/pirates-curtain-calls","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Podcasts","linkUrl":"http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.jsp?c_id=pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"camera","linkTarget":"_blank","linkText":"Photos","linkUrl":"https://thepiratespress.mlblogs.com/","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Latest Headlines","linkUrl":"/news","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Official Releases","linkUrl":"/news/topic/pirates-press-releases","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/roster/probable-pitchers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Game Notes","linkUrl":"/news/game-notes","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"The Pirates Press","linkUrl":"https://thepiratespress.mlblogs.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Pipeline","linkUrl":"/news/topic/pirates-pipeline-coverage","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Stream","linkUrl":"/team/photos","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"RSS News Feed","linkUrl":"/feeds/news/rss.xml","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team History","linkUrl":"/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates History Feature Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/pirates-history-trivia","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB News","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/news","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"gameday","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"PNC Park","linkUrl":"/ballpark","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ballpark Information","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ballpark Enhancements","linkUrl":"/ballpark/enhancements","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gameday Guide","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/gameday","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Scoreboard Messages","linkUrl":"/fans/scoreboard-messages","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"PNC Park Tours","linkUrl":"/ballpark/tours","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Concerts & Events","linkUrl":"/tickets/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Plan Your Special Event","linkUrl":"/ballpark/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Clubhouse Store","linkUrl":"/ballpark/pirates-clubhouse-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Experience History","linkUrl":"/ballpark/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Features, Facts & Firsts","linkUrl":"/ballpark/features","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Let's Go Bucs, Let's Go Green.","linkUrl":"/community/green-initiatives","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Blood Drives","linkUrl":"/community/blood-drives","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bag Policy","linkUrl":"/ballpark/bag-policy","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Parking and Directions","linkUrl":"/ballpark/transportation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Concessions Guide","linkUrl":"/ballpark/pnc-park-concessions-guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"3D Seating Map","linkUrl":"/ballpark/seating-map/3d","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Walk-Up Music Playlist","linkUrl":"/ballpark/music","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Facts","linkUrl":"/ballpark/facts","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Firsts","linkUrl":"/ballpark/firsts","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bradenton, Florida","linkUrl":"/ballpark/florida","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Latin America","linkUrl":"/ballpark/latin-america","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Experience History at PNC Park","linkUrl":"/ballpark/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"player","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Team History","linkUrl":"/history","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"globe","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Pirates Charities","linkUrl":"/community/pirates-charities","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Charities","linkUrl":"/community/pirates-charities","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community Programming","linkUrl":"/community/community-programming","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Youth Baseball and Softball","linkUrl":"/community/youth-baseball-softball","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Black History Month","linkUrl":"/community/black-history-month","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"50/50 Raffle","linkUrl":"/community/raffle","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Make A Donation","linkUrl":"/community/pirates-charities-donation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fields for Kids","linkUrl":"/community/fields-for-kids","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Miracle League Fields","linkUrl":"/community/miracle-league-fields","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Military Programs","linkUrl":"/community/military-programs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All Star Teachers","linkUrl":"/community/all-star-teachers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community Newsletter","linkUrl":"https://mktg.mlbstatic.com/pirates/Pirates-Community-Newsletter.html","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Long Live Their Legacy","linkUrl":"/community/long-live-their-legacy","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Friendsgiving Holiday Drive","linkUrl":"/community/friendsgiving-holiday-drive","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1606923355;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Virtual Baseball & Softball Clinic","linkUrl":"/community/play-ball/virtual-coaches-clinic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1605533803;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Building Bridges","linkUrl":"/community/building-bridges","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Cancer Support Weekend","linkUrl":"/community/cancer-support","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1599537540;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Charities Game","linkUrl":"/community/pirates-charities-game","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1600142340;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Virtual Food Bank Donation","linkUrl":"/community/food-bank","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1604610256;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play At Home","linkUrl":"/community/play-ball/play-at-home","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Summer Camps","linkUrl":"/fans/baseball-camps","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fundraise the Jolly Roger","linkUrl":"/community/outreach-programs/fundraise-the-jolly-roger","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Home Run 5K 10K","linkUrl":"/community/race","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates CARE-a-van","linkUrl":"/community/care-a-van","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Play Ball","linkUrl":"/community/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Programs","linkUrl":"/community/ticket-programs","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"VFD Grant Program","linkUrl":"/community/volunteer-fire-department-grant","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Annual Community Report","linkUrl":"https://www.digitalpublications-mlb.com/157005/157249/186082/PITCommunityReport2020/index.html","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Together","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/mlb-together","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Fans","linkUrl":"/fans","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"PiratesFest","linkUrl":"/fans/piratesfest","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Hall of Fame","linkUrl":"/history/hall-of-fame","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Souvenir Tickets","linkUrl":"/fans/souvenir-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fan Values","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/fan-values","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jim Leyland HOF Travel Packages","linkUrl":"/fans/jim-leyland-hall-of-fame","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2020 Season Updates","linkUrl":"/fans/2020-updates","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Going to Bat for Small Business","linkUrl":"/fans/small-business-non-profit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Total Tailgate Sweepstakes","linkUrl":"/fans/total-tailgate-package-sweepstakes","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1598846340;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Virtual Ballpark Experience - HIDDEN","linkUrl":"/fans/in-game","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Fan Resources","linkUrl":"/fans/resources","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Kids Activities","linkUrl":"/fans/activities","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pumpkin Stencils","linkUrl":"/fans/pumpkin-stencils","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Zoom Backgrounds","linkUrl":"/fans/zoom-backgrounds","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"First Pitch Magazine","linkUrl":"/fans/first-pitch-magazine","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Social Media","linkUrl":"/social","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Email Newsletters","linkUrl":"/fans/newsletters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2023 Digital Yearbook","linkUrl":"https://www.digitalpublications-mlb.com/157005/157249/186082/Pirates-2023-Yearbook/","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Experiences & Merchandise","linkUrl":"/fans/experiences-merchandise","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mascots and More","linkUrl":"/fans/mascots","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Walk-Up Music","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pirates/ballpark/music","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Kids","linkUrl":"/fans/kids/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bucaroos Kids Club","linkUrl":"/fans/kids-club","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Digital Fan Pack","linkUrl":"/fans/fan-pack","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Gift Guide","linkUrl":"/fans/gift-guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"PiratesFest at PNC Park","linkUrl":"/fans/piratesfest","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Summer Camps","linkUrl":"/fans/baseball-camps","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"appears:1717603200;expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-club-2024","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Apps","linkUrl":"/apps","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"watch","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe?affiliateId=clubMENU","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/t-14121179+z-9812019-458107067?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jerseys","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/jerseys/t-14343380+d-1261223436+z-92-875728927?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Caps","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/caps/t-14129980+d-6705223325+z-95-1745244677?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Men's","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/men/t-25671124+ga-89+z-921841-1278411202?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Women's","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/women/t-25455502+ga-68+z-994768-2409408569?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Kids","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/kids/t-47012280+ga-92+z-997947-3537571025?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Big & Tall","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/big-and-tall/t-14892280+es-35+z-910315-2495592026?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trading Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/trading-cards/d-4507487451+z-952513-2008381280?_s=bm-mlb.com-ShopButton-2024-TradingCards-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Collectibles & Memorabilia","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/collectibles-and-memorabilia/t-14784435+d-6783338849+z-93-4025914707?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Home & Office","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/home-and-office/t-14674480+d-6738552333+z-97-3817295593?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Clearance","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates/t-14121179+z-9812019-458107067?os=1&_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en/c/shop-by-team/national-league/pittsburgh-pirates?portal=AEI46DFD&CMP=PSC-AEI46DFD","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Certificates","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-pit","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Photostore","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/collections/pittsburgh+pirates?utm_source=pittsburgh_pirates&utm_campaign=nav","linkTarget":"_new","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pirates Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://pirates.auctions.mlb.com/?_gl=1*153jogc*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+PIT&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=mki8i1dARcxDt3WwReTi6kJOREHftyZJNK-Xg3m10ZpEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+PIT&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav+MLB&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Authentication","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/official-information/authentication","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Store Locations","linkUrl":"/ballpark/pirates-clubhouse-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Español","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/es/pirates","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#000000","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#000000","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#000000","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/2A6YTBFzz7oLdYowgjSixz/340f7178036073f99ee753f7f619ab8d/t134_url_logo_gold.svg"},"headerMastheadTagline":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/2hTG1mxFE3MHLe87FMAybg/9f66af10a786d3ac04b8bcf6a0be495c/Masthead_Template.svg"},"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"220px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"64px"}},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}]},"Person:521692":{"__typename":"Person","id":521692},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","id":118,"division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Oakland Athletics","shortName":"Oakland","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbpirates","linkInternalFilters":"pittsburgh,pirates"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Pittsburgh Pirates","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers' Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO -- Shortly after catcher Salvador Perez hit two home runs in three games after returning from thumb surgery in late July, Royals head athletic trainer Kyle Turner texted Dr. Steven Shin, an orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles.
“Great job, doc,” the text read.
“I’m like, ‘Hey, it’s not me,’” Shin said recently with a laugh. “It’s all him. He’s making us look good.”
Things didn’t look good when Perez suffered a complete tear of his left thumb’s ulnar collateral ligament back in June, when the Royals were playing the Angels in Anaheim. Surgery was needed, and UCL repairs typically take months to rehab.
“Any time I hear a catcher dealing with a thumb injury,” manager Mike Matheny said in July, “I’m thinking, ‘There’s the season.’ Because I know how painful it is and how long it takes to come back.”
But just five weeks later, Perez was back on a Major League field. In 30 games since his return from the injured list, Perez has seven homers and 26 RBIs, after recording 11 homers and 34 RBIs in 57 games before surgery. In August, the 32-year-old has slashed .295/.330/.467 and played in all 27 games so far, 18 of them at catcher.
The reason Perez was able to return so quickly was because of the type of UCL repair Shin has been pioneering in recent years. Performed on star athletes such as Mike Trout, Chris Paul and others, the procedure includes reinforcing the UCL repair with synthetic tape -- and cuts the time it takes to rehab in half.
“It’s a pretty amazing surgery,” Perez said. “Whenever I have to get something done, after talking to the doctors, I usually search around on it and see what’s going to happen. This was a different type of surgery.”
Referred to as a UCL repair with internal brace augmentation, this procedure includes the surgeon repairing the UCL as they normally would but then reinforcing that repair with the placement of the tape over the ligament. SutureTape, made by Arthrex, is just over a millimeter in width, yet is incredibly strong.
The tape is anchored over the thumb ligament, essentially forming a bridge.
“Once you’re done with the regular sutures that are also secured in the hole in the bone, then you take the two suture tape tails and you bring them back over the ligament, to the metacarpal side,” Shin said. “So you anchor those tails into the bone with another anchor. If you picture it, it’s a ligament with two suture tape tails over it, acting as a seatbelt. It backs up your repair.”
Coincidentally, the Royals were in L.A. when Perez tore his ligament. Kansas City's team physician, Dr. Vincent Key, connected Turner and Perez with Shin and set up an appointment for the next morning. After Shin confirmed that the ligament was torn and talked Perez through his options, surgery was scheduled for the next day.
“The question from Sal is always, ‘What’s next?’” said Turner, who has worked with the Royals for more than a decade and rehabbed many of Perez’s injuries, including his very first one in Rookie ball in 2008. “He’s immediately going to, ‘How much time am I going to miss?' It’s typically a long conversation about his options, what it’s going to take.”
Perez is as passionate about playing as anyone in baseball, and he’s skeptical of anything that’s going to stop him from doing that. But when he heard the timeline for a return, he gave his OK for surgery.
“If getting surgery is going to ruin my season, I would rather put something on my thumb, finish the season and get surgery after,” Perez said. “But when the doctor says, 'Six to eight weeks,' I’m thinking, 'I can come back in three to four,' and that’s when I decided to do the surgery.”
With a UCL repair, too much movement too soon could damage the repair. In a standard repair, the thumb is typically placed in a cast for several weeks to allow the ligament time to sufficiently heal back to the bone. That’s why a return from a thumb UCL repair is so grueling. For example, in 2010, Royals outfielder David DeJesus had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right thumb in July and missed the rest of the year.
With the internal brace augmentation, though, the period of immobilization is merely a matter of days. The reinforcement offered by the tape is such that an athlete can begin range of motion activity within several days.
“The tape is so strong that it basically acts as security for the ligament tear,” Shin said. “That’s why it gives us -- the surgeon and therapist -- the peace of mind to start motion, at least, because you know that repair is not going to be compromised. It’s being protected by the internal brace.”
With clearance from Shin and the Royals’ trainers, Perez began working with strengthening bands about three days after surgery. A little over two weeks post-operation, Perez was going through catching drills and swinging a bat.
“I told them, ‘I’m not lying to you,’” Perez said. “I just didn’t feel any pain. It was amazing. I couldn’t believe it.”
Shin couldn’t believe it, either.
“The first time I met Salvador Perez, I was like, ‘This guy’s a baller. He wants to play,’” Shin said. “He was actually the first patient who told me that after 10 days, he had no pain. No pain at all. I was pretty incredulous.”
Turner and Royals rehab coordinator Jeff Blum worked with Perez on his progression, although it was hard to slow Perez down. Perez would have likely come back even sooner had Shin given clearance, but the surgeon didn’t want to push Perez too much.
“It was just crazy,” Shin said. “No instability, no pain. He did really well. I could have maybe pushed him up a little bit and had him return to play quicker than anyone else, but he wasn’t the one I wanted to experiment with.
“He’s one of the more impressive athletes I’ve ever treated.”