Red Sox’ Wilyer Abreu explains viral broken-bat check swing

Wilyer Abreu had a bizarre at-bat on Tuesday against Pittsburgh. (Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff)Wilyer Abreu has seen plenty of bizarre plays take place out at the ballpark over the years.

But the Red Sox right fielder was initially at a loss on Tuesday in what has now turned into a viral moment on social media.

During Tuesday’s spring-training loss to the Pirates at JetBlue Park, Abreu checked his swing on a breaking pitch from Pittsburgh’s Thomas Harrington that sailed into the dirt.

But even though Abreu held his up swing and didn’t let the barrel of the bat cross over the plate, the entire piece of lumber still splintered — snapping in two and leaving the 26-year-old outfielder with…