Pham (hip) characterized his early exit from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers as a precautionary move, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "In the season, I'd play through it,

It hasn’t taken Tommy Pham long to make his present felt around the Pittsburgh Pirates. The home run he hit Sunday during a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium was fun, sure. Fastball away,

Tommy Pham hit his first homer of the spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates and recorded an outfield assist in a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Pham’s home run came off of reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in the top of the third winning.

Pham was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers due to left hip tightness, but he's ready to go following a few days of rest. The veteran outfielder is projected to open the season as the Pirates ' left fielder and leadoff hitter.