Translation guide
A substitute who takes over a critical task, especially in sports or work contexts.
A player who bats in place of another, especially in a crucial situation.
Standard term for a pinch hitter in baseball.
To send in a pinch hitter.
監督は代打を送った。
The manager sent in a pinch hitter.
A person who takes over an important task at the last minute.
代打 is strictly a baseball term. ピンチヒッター is the loanword used for figurative situations, like someone stepping in to handle a crisis at work. Using 代打 outside of baseball would sound odd.
He hit a home run as a pinch hitter.
Loanword from English, commonly used in business or casual contexts for a substitute who handles a difficult situation.
彼が急病で、私がピンチヒッターを務めた。
He suddenly fell ill, so I acted as a pinch hitter.
A substitute or stand-in, often used in performance or work contexts.
急な代役を頼まれた。
I was asked to be a last-minute substitute.
A helper or pinch hitter, often used in casual or team settings. Can imply a temporary helper brought in for a specific task.
人手が足りないから、助っ人を呼ぼう。
We're short-handed, so let's call in a pinch hitter.