May 17: Horwitz is being activated for todays game, as manager told reporters (including ) this afternoon. First baseman and outfielder is being optioned to the minor leagues in a corresponding move. May 16, 11:46am: Horwitz wont be active for tonights game but will be reinstated later during this weekend series, . May 16, 11:09am: First baseman will join the Pirates in Philadelphia and be active for this weekends series against the Phillies, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Itll be the Pirates debut for Horwitz, whom Pittsburgh acquired in the offseason. Horwitz, 27, came to the Bucs in what was effectively a three-team trade. The Blue Jays traded Horwitz and outfield prospect to the Guardians in exchange for infielder and reliever . Just a couple hours later, the Guardians sent Horwitz to the Pirates in exchange for righty and pitching prospects and . In Horwitz, the Pirates hope to be acquiring a controllable first baseman who could provide a boost to their lineup. He Wes Iwundu Jersey may prove to be that, but his first crack at doing so was delayed by February wrist surgery that has prevented him from taking the field thus far. Horwitz has played in parts of two major league seasons with Toronto and hit well the entire time hes been in the majors. In 425 plate appearances, hes a .264/.355/.428 batter. Hes shown a similar OBP-over-power approach in the upper minors, slashing .316/.429/.471 in 978 plate appearances with the Jays Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. Horwitz was largely blocked from playing time at first base in Toronto thanks to the presence of , so the Jays tried him briefly at second base and in left field. No such shuffling will be nece sary in Pittsburgh, where Pirates first basemen have combined to post an anemic .192/.259/.340 slash so far in 2025 (64 wRC+). That production or lack thereof comes via the quartet of , , and . Horwitz should have a clear runway to take the everyday first base job in Pittsburgh. If hes able to do so, the Pirates can control him for five additional seasons beyond the current year. Hed be arbitration-eligible as a Super Two player in the 2027-28 offseason. Aaron Gordon Jersey