Hayes is now up to .254/.311/.311 on the season while hitting in the middle of the order for the Pirates almost every day. There has been no power to speak of, but he does continue to try and run ,which can help him create some fantasy value in deeper formats.

Hayes will get a day of rest — at least to begin Friday’s contest — as he’s picked up just three hits over his last seven games. He’ll get a breather while Jared Triolo plays third base and hits seventh.

Hayes’ revamped swing, designed to take some pressure off his troublesome back, is producing quite a bit of hard contact; he has a 52% hard-hit rate and he’s doing a better job of getting the ball into the air than usual. That he’s also attempting some steals (3-for-3 so far) makes him of some interest in shallow leagues. There are certainly worse stopgaps out there.

He also should have had a HBP, but even though the ball hit him square on the foot, the ump wouldn’t call it, and the Pirates had already lost their replay challenge. Hayes, who too often hits the ball on the ground, actually sent four balls between 345 and 356 feet today. The first of those, an opposite field shot to right, required a nice jumping catch from Aaron Judge. The last, pulled down the left field line, was the homer.