Pirates Give Bad Injury Update on Seth Hernandez
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PITTSBURGH — Seth Hernandez is one of the best pitching prospects, but it's likely he won't feature again for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026.
Hernandez suffered a left oblique strain in his most recent outing back for High-A Greensboro and it's a six-to-eight week return timeline, which goes past the end of the minor league season, per Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk.
The Pirates had put Hernandez on the 7-day injured list on July 25, as he threw three innings vs. Winston-Salem (Chicago White Sox) on the road on July 24, posting five strikeouts and allowing just one hit and one walk.
It's tough news for Hernandez, who has had a fantastic 2026 season, and for the Pirates, who want to see their top pitching prospect develop into their future ace.
What Pirates Said About Hernandez's Injury
That return puts Hernandez on track for a full comeback Sept. 9-23, and with the final game for Greensboro on Sept. 6, it almost certainly ends his first campaign.
“Unfortunately he sustained an oblique strain," Tomczyk said. "Unfortunately, he felt it on one pitch. Did a battery of tests, had MD exams, some subsequent imaging and it diagnosed an oblique strain. As of right now, we’re projecting six-to-eight weeks prior to any game activity.”
Tomcyzk said that they'll take it day-by-day, but that it's most likely the end of Hernandez's season, as this will take longer than a normal oblique strain.
“I wouldn’t say it’s normal, it’s a bit more on the significant side," Tomczyk said. "It’s not a minor one. Generally, if you want to scale it, and this is research out there, evidence-based research, professional baseball players, from obliques that are in the low-to-moderate take about 32 days to respond to return to competition, but this one is going to take a little bit longer."
Hernandez Dominates in 2026
There were high expectations for Hernandez after the Pirates took him sixth overall in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Corona High School in Corona, Calif.
He responded to those expectations and showed that he is one of the best pitchers for the future of baseball and will serve as a crucial part of the Pirates rotation.
Hernandez was excellent with Single-A Bradenton, with a 3-0 record in six starts, posting a 0.96 ERA over 28.0 innings pitched, 50 strikeouts to seven strikeouts, a .135 BAA and a 0.71 WHIP.
There was no pitcher better in the Florida State League than Hernandez, who earned April pitcher of the month honors, and led the league in ERA, WHIP, BAA, strikeouts, K/9 (16.07), K/BB (7.14) and threw the second-most innings by the time of his promotion to Greensboro on May 12.
Hernandez had a few more difficulties at Greensboro, facing better hitting and also pitching in a hitter's ballpark in First National Bank Field.
He posted a 3-1 record over 12 starts, with a 3.33 ERA over 46.0 innings pitched, with 68 strikeouts to 24 walks, a .209 BAA and a 1.26 WHIP.
His performances earned him a spot at the Futures Game, alongside a fellow Pirates prospect and Greensboro teammate outfielder in Edward Florentino, both of whom impressed in the game.
The Pirates will hope that the 20-year old returns fully healthy and ready to dominate once again in 2027.
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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.