Pirates Star Leaves Braves Game With Injury
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had a bad game against the Atlanta Braves and then it got worse at the very end.
Pirates designated hitter Brandon Lowe fouled a ball off of his right knee and immediately dropped to the ground in pain with two outs in the top of the ninth inning.
Lowe immediately grabbed his right kneecap and Pirates medical staff came out, along with manager Don Kelly and third base coach Tony Beasley.
A Pirates medical staffer and Kelly helped Lowe up and then the medical staffer walked him off the field and into the dugout, while right fielder Ryan O'Hearn patted Lowe on his back.
Kelly didn't have an update after the game on Lowe, but said that the medical staff was checking him out and that they were hoping for the best.
The worst possible ending to today's game.
— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) June 6, 2026
Brandon Lowe fouled a ball off of his knee, and left the game in a ton of pain
Not good. https://t.co/I0vWuYJXLA pic.twitter.com/nXBvGDFQ14
Brandon Lowe's Impact on Pirates in 2026
Lowe has been one of the Pirates best hitters this season, after they acquired him in a big trade with the Tampa Bay Rays this past winter.
He has slashed .249/.333/.515 for an OPS of .848 in 59 games, with 57 hits, 40 runs scored, 14 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs, 41 RBI and 28 walks to 66 strikeouts.
Lowe leads the Pirates with 15 home runs, which ranks tied-sixth in the National League and tied-14th in MLB. His 41 RBI is second on the team, eighth in the NL and tied-14th in MLB, his slugging percentage ranks 12th in the NL and 20th in MLB and his OPS ranks tied-19th in the NL.
He has three multi-home run games in 2026, including on Opening Day vs. the New York Mets at Citi Field on March 26, against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 12 and vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on May 15.
His five RBI vs. the Cubs and then his five RBI against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on April 13 made him the first Pirates player to amass five RBI in back-to-back games since it became an official stat in 1920.
Lowe has also improved greatly at second base, where he was one of the worst defensive players in 2025, with -14 outs above average (OAA) and -14 defensive runs saved (DRS), improving to +6 OAA and +2 DRS this season.
The Pirates will hope that Lowe isn't out too long and that he's back out smashing home runs and producing the way he has this season.
What the Pirates Do Without Brandon Lowe
The Pirates will be in a tricky position if Lowe spends time on the injured list, as shortstop Konnor Griffin went on the 10-day injured list back on May 31 and can't return until June 10 at the earliest.
It's likely that Nick Gonzales moves back to second base full-time and rookie Tyler Callihan becomes the full-time third baseman, or both players could switch depending on the game. Jared Triolo has played shortstop in Griffin's absence.
The Pirates would have to bring back Nick Yorke from Triple-A Indianapolis, as he is the only infield option on the 40-man roster, with Jack Brannigan on the 7-day injured list.
Yorke can play third base, second base and first base, while also providing depth in both corner outfield spots.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.