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Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Fans two for fifth save of 2026
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 8:06 PM
Montgomery earned the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Tigers, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Braxton Ashcraft took care of business through the first eight innings on just 80 pitches, but the Pirates turned to Montgomery to keep the team's lead safe. The first batter reached base safely on a throwing error, but Montgomery proceeded to strike out the next two hitters he faced before closing the game with a groundout. He's earned the save in three of his last five outings and has not yielded a run over his last eight appearances. Montgomery has a 3.47 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 49.1 innings this season. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Belts two-run homer in return
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 8:00 PM
Cruz went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during the Pirates' 4-1 win over the Tigers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Cruz was activated from the 60-day injured list Monday, but he had to wait until Tuesday to make his return to the lineup. He made an immediate impact in his return with a two-run long ball in the fifth to put the Pirates up for good. It's a great sign for Cruz, who had been working his way back from a fractured left hand that he suffered in early June. His return is a significant boost for a Pirates team attempting to make a late surge to reach the postseason. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Cruises to 13th win
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 7:49 PM
Ashcraft (13-5) came away with the win against the Tigers on Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four across eight innings. He did not issue a walk.
Analysis: Ashcraft set the tone Tuesday by retiring the first 10 batters he faced. He gave up a solo homer to Brett Callahan in the fifth, but that was the only blemish to Ashcraft's excellent night, with the latter tossing only 80 pitches (61 strikes) through eight innings while generating seven whiffs and 12 groundouts. It was a spectacular encore to his complete game this past Thursday against the Marlins, and Ashcraft sits at a 3.68 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 149.1 innings this season. He's lined up to face the Padres on the road next week in what projects to be a two-start week for the 27-year-old right-hander. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales On bench Tuesday
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 5:16 PM
Gonzales is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Gonzales went 1-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run Monday after missing the previous two contests due to a facial contusion, which he sustained Friday on a hit-by-pitch. The 27-year-old will head to the bench Tuesday while Jared Triolo picks up a start at the hot corner while batting ninth. |
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Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Sent to Indianapolis
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 1:28 PM
The Pirates optioned Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mattson was needed for two innings and 41 pitches in Monday's loss to the Tigers, so he wasn't going to be available for a day or two. Antwone Kelly will absorb Mattson's spot on the roster and in the bullpen. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Rejoins big club
Tue, Aug 18, 2026, 1:25 PM
The Pirates recalled Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: It's the fourth stint in the majors this season for Kelly, with his three prior stays all lasting two days or fewer. The right-hander has struggled in his first three MLB appearances, surrendering five earned runs with a 4:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings. |
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Nick Yorke Nick Yorke Providing offensive spark
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 11:16 PM
Yorke went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored Monday against the Tigers.
Analysis: Yorke was recalled from the minors Sunday and has made consecutive starts at third base since. He's taken advantage of that opportunity, going 4-for-8 with six RBI in the two contests. Nevertheless, Yorke is likely to settle into a utility role now that Oneil Cruz has been activated from the injured list. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Mauled by Tigers in sixth loss
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 9:52 PM
Mlodzinski (6-6) took the loss against the Tigers on Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk in three innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: The Tigers pounced on Mlodzinski right away, tagging the right-hander for each of his four runs allowed in the first two innings. He's fared poorly since returning to Pittsburgh's rotation, giving up at least four runs while working three innings or fewer in three consecutive starts. Provided he keeps his rotation spot, Mlodzinski won't be a recommended fantasy streamer against the Dodgers his next time out. He has a career-worst 4.03 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 81:36 K:BB over 102.2 innings. |
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Johnathan Rodriguez Johnathan Rodriguez Loses spot on 40-man roster
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 5:12 PM
The Pirates designated Rodriguez for assignment Monday.
Analysis: A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for Oneil Cruz's return from the 60-day injured list. Rodriguez was acquired via trade three weeks ago and has yet to appear in a game for the Pirates. He's hit just .177/.288/.301 over parts of three major-league seasons. |
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Slated for knee surgery Thursday
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 4:41 PM
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said that Johnson will undergo left knee surgery Thursday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: According to Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com, Johnson will require an ACL reconstruction plus an LCL procedure on the knee, which he injured during an Aug. 8 game with Triple-A Indianapolis. Tomczyk said that a timeline for Johnson's return will be established once surgery is completed, but given that the operation will address damage to multiple ligaments, the 22-year-old will likely remain out well into the 2027 season. Johnson hit .198/.332/.319 with eight home runs and 24 stolen bases over 95 games with Indianapolis before the knee injury ended his season. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Seeking second opinion on hip injury
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 4:36 PM
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Rodriguez is gathering a second opinion on his left hip injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Pittsburgh listed Rodriguez's injury as left hip inflammation when he was placed on the shelf Thursday, but the organization may be concerned that the 26-year-old catcher might be dealing with something more significant. While Tomczyk relayed that the Pirates are expected to have more information on Rodriguez's condition later this week, it's reasonable to expect Rodriguez to spend more than the minimum 10 days on the injured list. Henry Davis and Rafael Flores will continue to share playing time behind the dish while Rodriguez is on the mend. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Serving as primary backstop
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 4:28 PM
Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: With fellow backstop Endy Rodriguez (hip) recently returning to the injured list, Davis has re-emerged as the Pirates' top option behind the dish. He'll pick up his seventh start in nine games while the Pirates open up a three-game set versus the Tigers. Davis is slashing just .143/.219/.143 with no extra-base hits, two RBI and two runs since the start of August, so he's not doing much to take advantage of his larger share of playing time. |
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Nick Yorke Nick Yorke Drawing second straight start
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 4:24 PM
Yorke will start at third base and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Yorke will be awarded a second straight start at the hot corner after he shined in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox upon being called from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day. While batting out of the No. 7 spot, Yorke went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and three RBI. Yorke will likely handle a utility role while he's up with the Pirates and should get most of his playing time against left-handed pitching. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Resumes light baseball activities
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 3:21 PM
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that O'Hearn (quadriceps) has been cleared to play catch and take some swings in the batting cage, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: O'Hearn is almost three weeks removed from landing on the 10-day injured list due to a left quad strain, and he's made enough progress in his recovery to begin incorporating some light baseball activities into his training regimen. He'll report to the Pirates' spring training complex in Florida later this week to continue ramping up his rehab. O'Hearn was given a 6-to-8 week timeline when he hit the shelf, and he would seem to have a good shot and returning on the shorter end of that timetable. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Cleared to ditch splint on injured finger
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 3:10 PM
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Griffin has been cleared to transition out of the splint he had been wearing on his injured left ring finger, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Ditching the splint represents an important milestone in Griffin's recovery from a torn tendon in the finger, as he'll now be able to increase the intensity and volume of his baseball activities. Once the Pirates' homestand concludes Wednesday, Griffin is scheduled to report to the team's spring training facility in Florida to begin a hitting progression and playing catch. He'll likely remain in Florida for the duration of his rehab program before he's cleared to report to a minor-league affiliate to start playing in games. If all goes well, Tomczyk relayed that the Pirates are "optimistic" that Griffin will be ready to return to the big-league roster when he's first eligible to come off the 60-day injured list Sept. 4. |
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Hunter Barco Hunter Barco Sent back to Triple-A
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 2:03 PM
The Pirates optioned Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Barco's stay in Pittsburgh lasted just one day, with the southpaw being called upon out of the bullpen to piggyback starter Lake Bachar in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox. After Bachar opened the game with three scoreless frames, Barco came on to work the next three innings, striking out four batters while yielding three earned runs on two hits and one walk. Barco will give up his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Yohan Ramirez (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity leave list in a corresponding move. |
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Yohan Ramirez Yohan Ramirez Back from paternity leave
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 2:00 PM
The Pirates reinstated Ramirez (personal) from the paternity leave list Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Ramirez stepped away from the Pirates for the entirety of the team's three-game weekend series with the Red Sox to spend time with his growing family. He'll rejoin the bullpen ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Tigers, with the Pirates optioning left-hander Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear room for Ramirez on the active roster and in the bullpen. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Bound for Triple-A
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 1:58 PM
The Pirates optioned Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Simon will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. After getting the call from Triple-A on Aug. 5, Simon saw a fairly steady role for the Pirates, starting in eight of the club's ensuing 11 games while slashing .290/.333/.323 with one stolen base, four runs and two RBI over 34 plate appearances. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Making return to starting nine Monday
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 1:51 PM
Gonzales (face) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: The Pirates kept Gonzales out of the lineup for the final two games of their weekend series with the Red Sox after he exited Friday's 8-4 win due to a facial contusion, which he sustained when he was hit in the helmet by a pitch. The 27-year-old appears to be feeling better after a couple of days of rest and shift over from his usual spot at third base to cover the keystone in place of Brandon Lowe, who will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter Monday. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Returns from IL, not starting Monday
Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 1:48 PM
The Pirates reinstated Cruz (hand) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: After going 3-for-22 with a 3:7 BB:K and a stolen base over six rehab games between Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona, Cruz returned to PNC Park on Sunday to be re-evaluated, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With the training staff coming away satisfied with how his fractured left hand has healed, Cruz received the green light to rejoin the Pirates' active roster. Cruz won't be included in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener versus the Tigers, but he should quickly settle back in as the Pirates' primary center fielder after slashing .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 21 steals, 45 runs and 44 RBI in 64 games prior to landing on the shelf. |
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