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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Makes pinch-hit appearance
Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 2:43 PM
Cruz (hip) provided an infield single in a pinch-hit appearance during Sunday's 2-1 win over the Twins.
Analysis: The Pirates held Cruz out of the lineup for their final game before the All-Star break after he exited late in Saturday's 12-4 loss due to a hip flexor injury, but manager Don Kelly's decision to turn to the 26-year-old in the top of the ninth inning for a pinch-hit appearance suggests that his health isn't a major concern. Cruz remains in line to participate in Monday's Home Run Derby and should return to the Pittsburgh lineup when the team returns to action Friday against the White Sox. |
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David Bednar David Bednar Extends streak with 13th save
Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 6:59 PM
Bednar earned the save Sunday against the Twins, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the 2-1 victory.
Analysis: Called on to protect a one-run lead, Bednar calmly closed the door with a pair of strikeouts to make it 18 consecutive appearances without an earned run, a dominant stretch during which the 30-year-old has collected 23 strikeouts and allowed just 12 baserunners. After a rough 2024 and start to 2025, the right-hander has been extremely reliable for Pittsburg when called upon, converting all 13 save attempts and closing in on two months without an earned run. Rightfully so, Bednar has remained locked in as Pittsburgh's main ninth-inning option and will look to continue shutting things down post All-Star break. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Sharp in quality start
Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 6:11 PM
Keller didn't factor into the decision, allowing one run on four hits over six innings while striking out three in Sunday's 2-1 win against the Twins
Analysis: The Pittsburg starter turned in another strong outing Sunday, with the only damage coming on a Byron Buxton RBI double in the fourth inning, and was pulled after 83 pitches. The right-hander has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts, compiling a 2.32 ERA with 31 strikeouts and seven walks over 42.2 innings during that stretch. Keller looks locked in heading into the All-Star break, continuing to offer dependable ratios and innings stability for the Pirates. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Out Sunday with hip issue
Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 12:35 PM
Cruz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins after exiting Saturday's 12-4 loss in the top of the eighth inning due to a hip flexor injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Interim manager Don Kelly said that the outfielder is still expected to participate in Monday's Home Run Derby. Jack Suwinski will draw the start Sunday in center field in place of Cruz, who should be ready to return to the Pittsburgh lineup following the All-Star break. |
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Joey Bart Joey Bart Multi-hit effort
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:10 PM
Bart went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Saturday against the Twins.
Analysis: Bart was in the lineup for only the second time in the last six games, and he has struggled to find a rhythm at the plate since returning from the injured list June 17. Across 14 games, he's gone only 10-for-45 with four RBI and one extra-base hit. The Pirates have a strong incentive to give Henry Davis consistent playing time across the second half, so Bart's playing time could continue to diminish. |
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Jack Suwinski Jack Suwinski Hits first homer
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 9:22 PM
Suwinski went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Saturday's 12-4 loss to the Twins.
Analysis: Suwinski has a 26-homer, 74-RBI season to his name during his career, but it's been a really tough campaign for him in 2025. The 26-year-old has gone back-and-forth between Triple-A Indianapolis and Pittsburgh plenty, and just now hit his first home run of the season in his 21st big-league game. He enters the All-Star break in much need of a reset, slashing just .120/.241/.200. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Chased early at Target Field
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 9:04 PM
Burrows (1-3) earned the loss after lasting just 1.1 innings, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one, during Saturday's 12-4 loss to the Twins.
Analysis: After posting five shutout innings with six strikeouts his last time out, Burrows had perhaps his worst start as a pro. The 25-year-old set a couple of career marks that pitchers don't really like to set, allowing a career-high six runs in 1.1 innings, the shortest start of his young career. The right-hander will enter the All-Star break with a 4.83 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. |
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Tommy Pham Tommy Pham Getting day off
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:14 AM
Pham is not in Saturday's lineup against the Twins.
Analysis: Pham has been the Pirates' best hitter since late June, hitting .429 with three homers, 15 RBI and seven runs scored across his last 14 games. He'll hit the bench after starting six straight games, with Jack Suwinski starting in left field. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Strikes out six vs. Twins
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 3:20 AM
Skenes (4-8) took the loss Friday against the Twins, giving up two runs on five hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: Skenes started fast, retiring the first nine batters he faced, but a single by Byron Buxton and an ensuing blast by Trevor Larnach resulted in a pair of runs against the hurler. The last-place Pirates could be starting to manage the All-Star right-hander's workload, as Skenes has failed to reach the 90-pitch threshold in any of his past four starts, which may be something for fantasy managers to monitor. Through 121 innings for the campaign, he boasts a 2.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 131:30 K:BB. |
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Ryan Borucki Ryan Borucki Continuing rehab at Triple-A
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 3:24 PM
Borucki's (back) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Borucki threw a perfect inning in a rehab outing at Low-A Bradenton, and he'll advance to Indianapolis. The 31-year-old reliever should need only one or two more minor-league appearances before being activated, though Pittsburgh will likely wait until after the All-Star break to add Borucki to the active roster. |
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Matt Gorski Matt Gorski Bumped from 40-man roster
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 3:22 PM
The Pirates designated Gorski for assignment Friday.
Analysis: Gorski has been on the shelf with an undisclosed injury since May 23, and it's unclear when he'll be back in action. Friday's move opens up a spot for Yohan Ramirez on the 40-man roster. |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Sent down to Triple-A
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 3:20 PM
The Pirates optioned Triolo to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Triolo had been mired in a 2-for-33 (.061) slump at the plate since June 10, and the Pirates will send him to Indianapolis to potentially rediscover his swing. The move opens up a spot on the active roster for reliever Yohan Ramirez. |
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Yohan Ramirez Yohan Ramirez Joining active roster
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 3:16 PM
The Pirates selected Ramirez's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Ramirez will get his first taste of MLB action this season, as he is getting called up after re-signing a minor-league contract with Pittsburgh on July 6. The 30-year-old has logged a 3.07 ERA and a 39:11 K:BB across 29.1 innings with Indianapolis this season. Jared Triolo was optioned to Triple-A, and Matt Gorski was designated for assignment in corresponding moves. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Exiting lineup Wednesday
Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 3:42 PM
Davis is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Kansas City.
Analysis: Davis had started each of the previous three contests and looks to have emerged as Option 1A at catcher for the Pirates to Joey Bart's 1B. However, Bart will be behind the dish Wednesday and will bat seventh. |
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Ryan Borucki Ryan Borucki Starts rehab assignment
Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 9:07 AM
Borucki (back) struck out one in a scoreless inning in his first rehab appearance with Single-A Bradenton on Tuesday.
Analysis: The southpaw landed on the 15-day injured list in late June with a lower-back injury but has been cleared to ramp things back up in game action. Borucki's absence has been brief, so it shouldn't take long before he rejoins the Pirates' active roster. |
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Jack Suwinski Jack Suwinski Hitless in return to majors
Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 8:27 AM
Suwinski went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Royals.
Analysis: Suwinski was recalled Tuesday and appears to be headed for his first significant stint in the majors since being optioned April 20. He immediately drew a start in right field while hitting seventh, replacing Andrew McCutchen in the lineup. Suwinski is likely to serve primarily as a bench bat while he remains in Pittsburgh, but he could start a few times per week while rotating in for McCutchen and Tommy Pham. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Tallies fourth homer
Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 8:18 AM
Gonzales went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Royals.
Analysis: Gonzales took Seth Lugo yard in the seventh inning, delivering his fourth home run of the season and third in his last 17 starts. He's also hit .328 in that span while driving in nine and scoring nine runs. Gonzales doesn't deliver standout power or much stolen base production, but he is locked into the cleanup spot in Pittsburgh's lineup. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Smacks 16th homer
Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 8:12 AM
Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Royals.
Analysis: Cruz continued his all-or-nothing approach at the plate Tuesday by blasting his 16th home run of the season in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1. He has four long balls and 10 stolen bases across his last 30 starts, but he's hit just .161 with a .552 OPS and a 33.6 percent strikeout rate in that same span. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Coughs up two homers
Tue, Jul 8, 2025, 9:18 PM
Keller did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's loss to Kansas City. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings.
Analysis: Keller gave up a solo shot to Jac Caglianone in the second inning but held the Royals in check until Nick Loftin's two-run shot in the seventh. It was Keller's first time allowing multiple home runs in a start this season. He's given up three or fewer runs in six consecutive outings, posting a 2.45 ERA over 36.2 frames during that span. He dropped his season ERA to 3.58 with an 89:27 K:BB. Keller's next start is expected to come after the All-Star break. |
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Andrew McCutchen Andrew McCutchen Idle Tuesday
Tue, Jul 8, 2025, 5:28 PM
McCutchen isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.
Analysis: McCutchen will get a day to clear his head Tuesday after going 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts over his last four contests. His absence will allow Bryan Reynolds to serve as the DH, opening a spot in right field for Jack Suwinski. |
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