Newman was removed from Sunday's spring game against the Orioles with left hamstring tightness, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and two RBI before leaving the game. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but even if it's a minor issue Newman figures to take it easy for a couple days.

Newman went 2-for-2 with a walk Thursday against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

He's in the middle of a three-way competition for time at shortstop with Cole Tucker and Erik Gonzalez. Newman, who bobbled away a ground ball for an error Thursday, needs to prove himself again both offensively and defensively after a miserable 2020. He slashed just .224/.281/.276 with one homer and no steals in 172 plate appearances after hitting .308 with 12 homers and 16 steals in 2019. Newman closed out last season on the injured list with a knee injury but is back to full health for 2021.

Newman (knee) was spotted fielding grounders at shortstop Monday during the Pirates' first workout for position players, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newman's presence on the field to begin spring training suggests that he's made a full recovery from the left knee contusion that sidelined him late in the 2020 campaign. Before the injury surfaced, Newman was in the midst of a brutal season, with his .557 OPS over 172 plate appearances representing a 242-point drop from 2019. After being locked in as a full-time player heading into last season, Newman will likely now have to battle Erik Gonzalez and Cole Tucker for a starting job at shortstop this spring.

The Pirates placed Newman on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a contusion to the peroneal nerve of his left knee, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury isn't believed to be especially significant, but the timing of Newman's placement on the IL means his 2020 campaign is over. The 27-year-old took a big step back this season, with his OPS dropping 242 from his 2019 mark. Newman also failed to record a stolen base after going 16-for-24 on steal attempts last season. Adam Frazier and Erik Gonzalez will likely serve as Pittsburgh's everyday starters in the middle infield the rest of the way.

Newman went 0-for-4 with a pair of walks in Friday's doubleheader loss to the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

He also made his seventh error of the season. Newman is batting .156 (5-for-32) since Sept. 9 with no extra-base hits. Prior to the season, he mentioned stealing bases as an area of expansion to his game, but he was unsuccessful in his lone attempt, and that was nearly two months ago. He dealt with an undisclosed injury during summer camp thought to be oblique related. For whatever reasons, his sophomore season has proven to be a disappointment: Newman is slashing .229/.281/.281 with one homer and 10 RBI in 168 plate appearances.

Newman is not starting Tuesday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Newman has started 36 of the Pirates' 47 games so far this season, though he hasn't exactly earned the playing time. He's hitting just .227/.276/.284, quite a disappointment after he hit .308/.353/.446 in 130 games last season. JT Riddle will be the second baseman in his absence.

Newman will start at second base and will bat seventh in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

After batting second in Sunday's 11-0 loss to the Royals, Newman will slide back down to a spot in the bottom third of the order. The low lineup placement may become the new normal for Newman, who has gone hitless in 14 at-bats over his last four starts to drop his season average to .222.

Newman is not in Thursday's lineup against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

He is hitting .200 with zero home runs and zero steals over his last 10 games. With Adam Frazier, Erik Gonzalez and Ke'Bryan Hayes all trending toward regular playing time, Newman will get more days off down the stretch.

Newman is not starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Newman will head to the bench for the second half of Thursday's twin bill after going 1-for-4 in Game 1. Erik Gonzalez is covering shortstop in the nightcap, with Adam Frazier at the keystone and JT Riddle at third base.

Newman (abdomen) is starting at second base and hitting third in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Newman has been cleared to rejoin Pittsburgh's starting lineup after missing a pair of games with an abdomen issue. The infielder, who is hitting .269/.305/.346 through 20 games this season, will face Kwang-Hyun Kim in his return to action.