| News |
|---|
|
Hunter Stratton Hunter Stratton Designated for assignment
Thu, Jun 26, 2025, 4:55 PM
The Pirates designated Stratton for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: Stratton lost his spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen Tuesday, and he'll now be pushed off the 40-man roster entirely to create room for Genesis Cabrera, who inked an MLB deal with the Pirates on Thursday. Stratton owns a 4.30 ERA through 52.1 career innings in the majors and carries a 3.91 ERA in Triple-A this year, so he could still land with another team via waivers. |
|
Michael Darrell-Hicks Michael Darrell-Hicks Demoted to Triple-A
Thu, Jun 26, 2025, 4:52 PM
The Pirates optioned Darrell-Hicks to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Just two days after coming up from the minors, Darrell-Hicks will head back to Indianapolis to make room for the newly signed Genesis Cabrera. Darrell-Hicks has given up eight earned runs over 9.2 innings during his time in the big leagues this year, and his Triple-A performance hasn't been much better (8.14 ERA through 24.1 IP). |
|
Genesis Cabrera Genesis Cabrera Signs MLB deal with Pirates
Thu, Jun 26, 2025, 4:49 PM
Cabrera signed a one-year contract with the Pirates on Thursday.
Analysis: Cabrera will stay put in the NL Central after being designated for assignment by the Cubs on Saturday, and he'll immediately fill in as a big-league bullpen piece for Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old southpaw owns a 6.35 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 17 innings on the season, so he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work to begin his tenure with the Buccos, though that could change if he begins to return to form. Michael Darrell-Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Cabrera on the active roster, and Hunter Stratton was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot. |
|
Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Starting Sunday after relief outing
Thu, Jun 26, 2025, 8:46 AM
Burrows is scheduled to start Sunday against the Mets after he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Brewers, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Burrows came on to make his first relief appearance for the Pirates this season after starter Paul Skenes lasted a career-low four innings Wednesday. As a result, the rookie right-hander's turn in the rotation will be pushed back a couple days, and he will take the ball Sunday on three days' rest. |
|
Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Loses duel against Misiorowski
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 6:30 PM
Skenes (4-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings as the Pirates were downed 4-2 by the Brewers. He struck out four.
Analysis: Matched up for the first time against Milwaukee phenom Jacob Misiorowski, Skenes was the first young ace to flinch, putting the first three batters on base in the second inning en route to a four-run frame for the Brewers. While Skenes didn't take any further damage, he was lifted after 78 pitches (50 strikes) with the Bucs having once again failed to provide him with any offensive support -- they didn't get on the board until the seventh inning. It's the first time since May 1 that the 23-year-old right-hander has been tagged for more than two runs, and Skenes will take a 2.12 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 110:29 K:BB through 106 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cardinals. |
|
Joey Bart Joey Bart Splitting catching reps with Davis
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 11:35 AM
Bart is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.
Analysis: Bart went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in the series opener Monday and is now out of the lineup in favor of Henry Davis for the second day in a row. The two catchers have been sharing reps behind the plate since Bart returned from the 7-day injured list last week, with Bart receiving five starts to Davis' four. |
|
Ke'Bryan Hayes Ke'Bryan Hayes Grabbing seat Wednesday
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 11:31 AM
Hayes is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Milwaukee.
Analysis: Hayes is in the midst of a modest five-game hitting streak but will receive a day off in Wednesday's series finale. Jared Triolo will start at third base and bat seventh for the Pirates. |
|
Andrew McCutchen Andrew McCutchen Day off Wednesday
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 11:28 AM
McCutchen is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Milwaukee.
Analysis: McCutchen had started each of the previous eight contests but will get a breather in Wednesday's series finale. Bryan Reynolds will receive a day off from playing the outfield and will replace McCutchen at designated hitter. |
|
Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Moved down to fifth in order
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 11:26 AM
Cruz will start in center field and bat fifth in Wednesday's contest versus the Brewers.
Analysis: Cruz was removed from Tuesday's 9-3 loss in the seventh inning due to what Pirates interim manager Don Kelly deemed a lack of effort in running out a double-play grounder. While Cruz is back in the lineup a day later, he has been demoted from the leadoff spot to the No. 5 spot, which is the lowest in the order he's hit this season. Cruz is slashing only .156/.258/.221 with a 34.8 percent strikeout rate in June. |
|
Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Benched due to lack of effort
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 8:28 AM
Pirates interim manager Don Kelly said that Cruz was removed from Tuesday's game versus the Brewers in the seventh inning due to a lack of "energy and effort," the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Cruz slowed up running to first base when he grounded into a double play in the top of the seventh inning and was replaced on defense before the bottom of the frame. The center fielder admitted after the contest that he thought there were two outs. Kelly was noncommittal when asked whether Cruz would be back in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale in Milwaukee. Cruz was hitless in four plate appearances before being lifted. |
|
Andrew Heaney Andrew Heaney Tagged with seven runs
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 10:17 PM
Heaney (3-7) allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four-plus innings Tuesday, striking out three and taking a loss against Milwaukee.
Analysis: Heaney delivered a pair of scoreless innings before his outing unraveled. He gave up three total home runs in the third and fourth frames, including two by Joey Ortiz. The Brewers tacked on another run in the fifth inning. Heaney has given up seven runs across four innings in back-to-back starts, driving his season ERA up from 3.33 to 4.48 through 86.1 innings. He hasn't won a start since May 21, going 0-4 with a 6.46 in six outings since then. Heaney is expected to face the Cardinals at home next week. |
|
Michael Darrell-Hicks Michael Darrell-Hicks Officially promoted
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 4:59 PM
The Pirates recalled Darrell-Hicks from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: Darrell-Hicks has pitched two scoreless innings at Indianapolis since being claimed off waivers from the Angels, and he'll now be called upon to replace Hunter Stratton in Pittsburgh's bullpen. |
|
Hunter Stratton Hunter Stratton Optioned to Indy
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 4:58 PM
The Pirates optioned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: After giving up three runs in one inning Monday, Stratton will return to the minors, where he owns a 3.91 ERA through 23 innings. Michael Darrell-Hicks will come up from Triple-A to fill the open bullpen spot. |
|
Michael Darrell-Hicks Michael Darrell-Hicks Poised for promotion
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 12:08 PM
The Pirates will recall Darrell-Hicks from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Tuesday's game in Milwaukee, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: He'll take the roster spot of Hunter Stratton. Darrell-Hicks was a waiver claim earlier this month and has allowed eight runs with a 6:4 K:BB over 7.2 frames at the big-league level in 2025. |
|
Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Solid in high-leverage spot
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 9:28 AM
Mattson allowed one hit and struck out three across 1.2 scoreless innings to earn a hold Monday against the Brewers.
Analysis: The Pirates deployed a bullpen approach Monday, and Mattson was tasked with holding the lead in the seventh and eighth innings. He faced the top five hitters in the Brewers' order and allowed only a single to William Contreras. Mattson could be a candidate to see more consistent high-leverage spots moving forward, as he delivered a 9:2 K:BB across 10.1 innings while allowing only two earned runs with a 0.58 WHIP since being recalled June 7. |
|
Tommy Pham Tommy Pham Smacks first homer
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 8:41 AM
Pham went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Monday against the Brewers.
Analysis: Pham has had a disastrous season in Pittsburgh, and he finally managed to slug his first home run of the campaign in the fourth inning Monday. He had recorded only four extra-base hits across his first 51 games entering Sunday's contest against the Rangers, but he has combined for three extra-base hits in the two contests since. Pham has lost his starting role in left field to a combination of Adam Frazier and Alexander Canario, though this brief hot stretch could earn him some additional looks in the lineup. |
|
Hunter Stratton Hunter Stratton Expected to be sent down
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 8:25 AM
The Pirates will option Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Stratton was roughed up for three runs over an inning Monday in Milwaukee and will head back to the minors a day after the appearance. It's not yet clear who the Pirates will be adding to the roster in Stratton's place. |
|
Isiah Kiner-Falefa Isiah Kiner-Falefa On base twice in win
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 8:22 AM
Kiner-Falefa went 1-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a walk Monday against the Brewers.
Analysis: Kiner-Faelfa delivered the game-winning run on an RBI triple in the sixth inning, his first extra-base hit since June 10. He's had a tough month, going 13-for-64 with five RBI, one stolen base and one run scored across 20 games. Despite the struggles, Kiner-Falefa remains the Pirates' everyday shortstop. |
|
Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Collects five hits in win
Mon, Jun 23, 2025, 10:53 PM
Gonzales went 5-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in Monday's 5-4 win versus Milwaukee.
Analysis: The Pittsburgh second baseman completed the first Pirates five-hit game performance since Oneil Cruz accomplished the feat Aug. 2, 2024. In the process, Gonzales roped his second and third two-baggers of the season as he raised his average from .271 to .320 across 19 total games. The 26-year-old has been locked into a starting role at second base since returning from an ankle injury June 3. |
|
David Bednar David Bednar Secures 11th save
Mon, Jun 23, 2025, 10:38 PM
Bednar earned the save in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Brewers, allowing a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning with one strikeout.
Analysis: After yielding a leadoff single to Caleb Durbin, Bednar was bailed out when Durbin was caught attempting to steal second. The Pittsburgh closer then worked around a free pass to Jake Bauers to lock down his 95th career save. Since being recalled from the minor leagues April 19, Bednar has rounded back into All-Star form with a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 37:5 K:BB over 25.2 innings while going a perfect 10-for-10 in save opportunities. |
Connect With Us:
