Nick Gonzales had misgivings about wearing No. 39 once Dave Parker was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman made his intentions clear to change his jersey number upon Parker’s death last summer.
“It just meant a little more playing today with that number,” Gonzales said June 28, after the Pirates’ 9-2 win over the New York Mets at PNC Park. “Personally, I think it should be retired. I think I should get a new number, honestly. I think that might happen at some point when some numbers open up. I think that number should be retired, for sure.”
The Pirates announced Thursday that Gonzales is one of a half-dozen players who will change jersey numbers this season. Gonzales switched to No. 3, which was worn last season by outfielder Ji Hwan Bae, who was designated for assignment in November.
Another prominent number change involves right-handed pitcher Jared Jones switching from No. 37 to No. 17, which previously belonged to former Pirates manager Derek Shelton.
Catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez changed his jersey to No. 13 – previously worn by Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes – to allow newly acquired two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe to wear No. 5. Lowe wore No. 8 with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Pirates retired that number in honor of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell.
Other notable number changes include right-hander Braxton Ashcraft switching from No. 67 to No. 35, previously worn by righty reliever Colin Holderman; and lefty reliever Evan Sisk changing from No. 51 to No. 48, which became available when infielder Enmanuel Valdez switched to No. 47.
In addition to Lowe, the jersey number assignments for Pirates newcomers will have All-Star slugger Ryan O’Hearn wearing No. 29 because the No. 32 he wore with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres belongs to catcher Henry Davis; outfielders Jake Mangum wearing No. 28 (worn by Tommy Pham last season) and Jhostynxon Garcia in No. 34 (Joey Wentz); and lefty relievers Gregory Soto in No. 31 (Liover Peguero) and Mason Montgomery in No. 46 (Nick Solak).
The seven players added to the 40-man roster last fall all have numbers in the 70s and 80s: infielder Jack Brannigan will wear No. 76, righty reliever Brandan Bidois No. 77, right-hander Thomas Harrington No. 78, righty reliever Ryan Harbin No. 84, outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez No. 85 and right-handers Wilber Dotel No. 86 and Antwone Kelly No. 87.