Gonzalez went 1-for-5 and committed his first error of the season Monday.

EDGE Analysis

His error helped the Cardinals score a game-tying, ninth-inning run. Gonzalez also committed a base-running gaffe, getting thrown out after aggressively rounding second base on a sacrifice bunt. The Pirates don't necessarily expect Gonzalez to hit - he's got two hits in 13 at-bats - but he won't be in the lineup for long if he doesn't provide better defense. Kevin Newman would be the likely replacement at shortstop if the team pulls the plug on the Gonzalez experiment.

General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Gonzalez will open the season as the Pirates' starting shortstop, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Adam Berry of MLB.com, Huntington cited Gonzalez's defensive aptitude as the main reason he won the starting role over Kevin Newman, who is now slated to open the season as a utility man. After serving as a bench infielder for Cleveland for most of the past three seasons, Gonzalez will get an extended look in an everyday role for the first time in his career, but the 27-year-old probably won't warrant immediate attention outside of NL-only formats and deeper mixed leagues. Over 275 career plate appearances in the majors, Gonzalez has slashed .263/.292/.389 (78 wRC+) with five home runs and four stolen bases.

Gonzalez went 1-for-2 with his second stolen base of the spring Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

He's lifted his Grapefruit League batting average to .233 with a good weekend and remains in the running for the starting shortstop job. Gonzalez is out of options while fellow shortstop Kevin Newman still has an option available. Neither player has had a standout spring, but Gonzalez might win the spot because Newman can be sent to Triple-A without needing to pass through waivers.

Gonzalez went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts against Atlanta on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

He's 3-for-23 with one extra-base hit in Grapefruit League action and hasn't played particularly well on defense. Gonzalez is competing with Kevin Newman (.182 batting average) for the starting shortstop job, but neither player has excelled. As a result, it's possible the Pirates platoon the pair for the first part of the season.

Unless the Pirates sign or trade for another player, Gonzalez likely heads into spring training as the team's starting shortstop, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez slashed a combined .263/.292/.389 with five homers and four stolen bases in 275 plate appearances spread out over the last three seasons. The 27-year-old, who was stuck behind the likes of Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez in Cleveland, could see ample playing time. He'll face competition from Kevin Newman, but it sounds like management is intrigued by his potential. General manager Neal Huntington compared him to a young Freddy Galvis while manager Clint Hurdle said the scouts kept "beating the table" to acquire the infielder. That said, it would still be a surprise to see the organization another competent middle infielder like Jose Iglesias, especially with the somewhat unproven Adam Frazier slated to see full-time duty at second base.

The Indians traded Gonzalez, Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for Jordan Luplow and Max Moroff.

EDGE Analysis

Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington released a statement regarding Gonzalez as a "quality option to play shortstop or in the middle of our infield this year and into the future," in the minutes following Wednesday's five-player deal. Gonzalez typically served as a second or third baseman for Cleveland over the past couple years -- especially since the team had little need for him at shortstop due to Francisco Lindor's presence -- though he rarely received everyday playing time barring a disabled list stint from one of the Indians' regulars. Across 81 games this past year, he hit .265/.301/.375 with one home run, 16 RBI and three stolen bases in 136 at-bats.

Gonzalez will be left off Cleveland's ALDS roster against the Astros, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez cleared concussion protocol earlier this week but manager Terry Francona elected to give the final roster spot to Rajai Davis instead. Dating back to the beginning of August, Gonzalez has slashed just .150/.190/.175 with one RBI in 40 at-bats, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that he was left off the 25-man roster for this series.

Gonzalez was cleared from the MLB concussion protocol Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez missed the Indians' final four games after getting hit in the head by a pitch Wednesday. The utility infielder has spent the entirety of the season on Cleveland's big-league roster, so he's presumably a lock to make the ALDS roster if healthy.

Gonzalez (head) was cleared for activities in the weight room Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez was hit in the head by a pitch in Wednesday's game against the White Sox and won't return for Sunday's regular season finale. The 27-year-old is hopeful to be cleared for the team's intrasquad game Tuesday, but the likelihood he is chosen for a roster spot for the ALDS remains slim regardless.

Gonzalez stayed with the team after getting hit in the head by a pitch during Wednesday's contest, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Indians have yet to release any information regarding Gonzalez's status, but it's obviously a good sign that he was able to travel and fly with the club to Kansas City following Wednesday's incident in Chicago. Per Hoynes, Gonzalez will be monitored on a daily basis. Even if he avoids any serious damage, don't expect him back in the starting lineup for the next few days.