All articles tagged with #pirates
The Pirates traded their Competitive Balance-A pick (No. 34) and Triple-A left-hander Jaden Woods to the White Sox for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and lefty reliever Brandon Eisert, adding a versatile left-handed bat in Gonzalez and bullpen depth as they navigate Konnor Griffin’s absence; both players must be added to the 40-man roster.
A 90-minute rain delay prompted the Brewers-Pirates game at PNC Park to be postponed on July 10, with a makeup doubleheader scheduled for July 11: game 1 at 11:05 a.m. CT and game 2 at 3:05 p.m. CT. The pitchers listed for July 11 are Brandon Sproat vs Braxton Ashcraft in the opener and Shane Drohan vs Bubba Chandler in the nightcap, while a July 12 game at 11:15 a.m. would feature Jacob Misiorowski against Paul Skenes. This follows the Brewers’ recent back-to-back doubleheader sweep of the Cardinals earlier in the week.
Mike Yastrzemski's game-sealing grand slam in the ninth capped a 10-5 Braves win over the Pirates, with Matt Olson's first-inning homer tying the franchise consecutive-games played record, Jim Jarvis hitting his first career homer, and Jake Mangum delivering four hits and three RBIs in a four-hit night. Dylan Dodd earned the win, Mitch Keller took the loss, and the game featured a 35-minute rain delay as Atlanta clinched the series and improved to 54-38 while Pittsburgh fell to 47-47.
Pirates manager Don Kelly pulled pitcher Jared Jones after six perfect innings and 77 pitches to prioritize his health as he returns from elbow surgery, despite eight strikeouts and no baserunners; Jones’ perfect bid ended when Joey Bart hit a two-run homer in the eighth, and Atlanta added another run in the ninth en route to a 3-0 win.
Pittsburgh’s multi-sport update centers on the Penguins’ development camp, where Liam and Markus Ruck are focusing on skating mechanics and nutrition to add weight and improve pro readiness; the Steelers are negotiating a high-stakes extension for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., likely needing substantial guaranteed money to reach elite-tier status; the Pirates are navigating the trade deadline with Brandon Lowe’s long‑term future in question, as Lowe expresses openness to staying but stresses that any deal depends on the team’s offer. The piece also notes Keeanu Benton’s extension as a priority, stadium and facility plans for Acrisure Stadium, and a growing emphasis on biomechanics through Matt Hague’s platform, which has helped hitters like Ryan O’Hearn and could influence Lowe’s approach ahead of a potential recall for Hunter Stratton.
Washington hit five home runs, including two apiece from Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile, to beat the Pirates 9-5 and push Pittsburgh back under .500. Mitch Keller gave up five runs in six innings as the Nationals jumped out to a 3-0 start, while the Pirates finally rallied with four doubles in the ninth to make it closer. Reynolds hit his 150th career homer, but the early deficit proved too much; Pittsburgh heads to Saturday’s matinee with Braxton Ashcraft vs. Zack Littell.
Washington Nationals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 at Nationals Park in 100-degree heat, powered by Luis García Jr. and Daylen Lile, who each homered twice (Lile also drove in four). José Tena added a solo shot, and Foster Griffin earned the win while allowing one run across five innings as Washington improved in its recent stretch; Mitch Keller took the loss after six innings with five runs allowed. Bryan Reynolds provided Pittsburgh’s lone offensive highlight with a homer.
Noah Hiles analyzes why Pirates ace Paul Skenes has cooled after a brilliant start to 2026, exploring whether the team’s poor defensive support, recent coaching changes (Marin out, Murphy in), or Skenes’ own adjustments to velocity and pitches (splinker, curve, sinker) explain the slide. With the defense posting the worst fielding value in the NL and clutch metrics slipping, the Pirates need Skenes to rebound, while improvements from defense and coaching could help—yet the ball is ultimately in Skenes’ court to regain his elite form.
Pirates pitcher Jared Jones left Sunday's start with an elbow scare, though initial imaging was negative and he’ll be rechecked; GM Ben Cherington said Konnor Griffin is nearing a rehab assignment after an elbow strain, while Oneil Cruz remains out with multiple hand fractures.
Paul Skenes pitched six innings of two-run ball but took the loss as the Pirates dropped a 2-1 decision to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, their seventh straight defeat in Skenes’ starts. The Pirates loaded the bases with none out in the ninth but failed to score. A controversial call—Billy Cook, running for Reynolds, was ruled to have interfered with the third baseman—ruled out the potential tying run, drawing anger from Pirates manager Don Kelly. Pittsburgh remains under .500 and will try to avoid a sweep in the series finale.
The Pirates traded Joey Bart to the Braves for reliever Hunter Stratton, clearing the catching logjam. Endy Rodriguez will handle most of the catching duties with Henry Davis as the defensive backup, and Paul Skenes serving as Rodriguez’s personal catcher. The move signals confidence in Rodriguez’s bat and in Davis’s defense, while Marcell Ozuna has earned another opportunity to contribute, though a DFA remains unlikely for now. The piece also touches on how Carmen Mlodzinski/Jared Jones usage and Konnor Griffin’s rehab progress may affect the rotation and lineup going forward.
The Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Pirates for right-hander Hunter Stratton, designating Sandy León for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot. Bart, a former Giants top prospect whose major-league career has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent hitting, will begin rehab in Atlanta’s system and competes for a path back to the majors behind Drake Baldwin.
The Pirates sent catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves for right-hander Hunter Stratton, adding a controllable bullpen arm and easing a catcher logjam as Bart rehabs from a left-foot infection and is out of minor-league options; Stratton will report to Indianapolis and provides depth with a 3.75 career ERA in MLB and solid Triple-A numbers this year.
The Braves traded reliever Hunter Stratton to the Pirates for catcher Joey Bart, designating Sandy León for assignment; Bart is on the injured list but expected to be activated soon and bolster Atlanta’s catching depth, while Stratton heads back to Pittsburgh after a brief Braves stint.
During a three-game series in West Sacramento, the Pirates and Athletics played at Sutter Health Park, a Triple-A venue the A’s are using while awaiting Las Vegas. The visit yielded a mostly positive reception from players and reporters, with praise for the big‑league atmosphere and amenities, plus some quirks like a cramped visiting clubhouse and the park’s hitter‑friendly conditions that produced multiple homers. Attendance varied, logistics for a postseason run would be tight, and most participants left hoping for a return to a true MLB venue in the future.