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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Fills stat sheet in loss
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 6:47 PM
Mangum went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, an additional RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 10-5 loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: It's the fourth career four-hit game for Mangum, highlighted by his two-run blast off Bryce Elder in the fourth inning, his second homer this season. The switch-hitting outfielder has gone 18-for-50 (.360) over his last 12 games, boosting his slash line to .311/.361/.383 across 244 plate appearances this season with 32 runs scored, 18 RBI and 18 stolen bases. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Falls to Atlanta
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 6:33 PM
Keller (6-7) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Keller has been struggling mightily of late, posting a 7.62 ERA in his last eight starts (39 innings). The home-run ball in particular has been a problem for Keller -- he's now given up six long balls in his last four outings. The right-hander will head into the All-Star break with a 5.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:35 K:BB across 19 starts (103.1 innings). |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Filling in for Griffin at shortstop
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 11:53 AM
Triolo will make his third straight start at shortstop in Thursday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Triolo briefly transitioned back into a utility role in late June when Konnor Griffin settled back in as the Pirates' top shortstop after a one-month absence due to a forearm flexor strain, but a regular spot in the middle infield has reopened for Triolo after Griffin was moved back to the IL on Tuesday due to a torn tendon in his left ring finger. Griffin faces an estimated recovery timeline of 8-to-10 weeks, so unless the Pirates bring another shortstop aboard prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Triolo should be in line for an extended run as an everyday player. Though Triolo is regarded as a strong defender, he's offered limited fantasy value this season with a .236 average, one home run, six steals, 14 RBI and 19 runs across 198 plate appearances. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Receiving afternoon off
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 11:48 AM
Davis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Though he looks like the Pirates' new No. 1 catcher after Endy Rodriguez (glute) was placed on the injured list Wednesday, Davis will get a breather Thursday while Pittsburgh closes out its series against Atlanta with a day game after a night game. Rafael Flores will step in behind the dish and will bat eighth. |
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Grae Kessinger Grae Kessinger Nabs MiLB deal from Pirates
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 8:42 AM
The Pirates signed Kessinger to a minor-league contract Wednesday.
Analysis: Kessinger -- who had been in the Mets organization -- will help backfill the organization's shortstop depth following the injury to Konnor Griffin (finger). The 28-year-old Kessinger missed the beginning of this season with a significant hamstring strain and slashed just .151/.242/.264 in 17 games with Triple-A Syracuse. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Stellar in no-decision
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 8:22 PM
Jones did not factor into the decision Wednesday against Atlanta, logging eight strikeouts across six perfect innings.
Analysis: While the Pirates failed to provide Jones with any run support in an eventual 3-0 defeat, the right-hander's dominant performance certainly offered a silver lining. Jones struck out eight of the 18 batters he faced, ultimately needing 77 pitches to get through six perfect innings. The 34-year-old Jones has now allowed just five earned runs across 17.2 innings in his last four starts as he continues to work his way back from UCL surgery that ended his 2025 campaign. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.37 with a 1.14 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB through his first eight starts (35 innings) this season. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Serving as DH on Wednesday
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:57 PM
Ozuna will start at designated hitter and bat seventh Wednesday against Atlanta.
Analysis: Ozuna will pick up just his second start through the Pirates' first seven games of July. Per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday that Ozuna had been managing a toe injury that rendered him unavailable for a few of the Bucs' games in Washington over the weekend, but it's unclear if the 35-year-old would have started in any of those contests even if fully healthy. Ozuna has been a major disappointment this season, having thus far turned in a career-worst .610 OPS while striking out in 30.7 percent of his plate appearances. |
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Tyler Callihan Tyler Callihan Exiting lineup Wednesday
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:53 PM
Callihan is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: After starting in each of the last three games at three different positions, Callihan will give up his spot in the lineup Wednesday to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Callihan produced a 1.350 OPS in his first 10 games with Pittsburgh following his promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis in late May, but he's cooled down considerably since then, slashing .224/.278/.327 with a 35.2 percent strikeout rate over his subsequent 19 contests. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Stepping in as No. 1 catcher
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:50 PM
Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Davis had already started behind the plate in two of the Pirates' previous three games, but Endy Rodriguez's (glute) move to the 10-day injured list Wednesday will clear the way for the former to serve as the team's primary backstop through the All-Star break. For the season, Davis is slashing an abysmal .155/.250/.323 slash line, but he's been much better since the beginning of June with a .758 OPS over 17 games. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Moves up to majors
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:32 PM
The Pirates recalled Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: Flores will provide the Pirates with an extra option behind the plate beyond Henry Davis after Endy Rodriguez (glute) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Flores -- who is also capable of playing first base -- was up with the Pirates for a brief spell in June and produced a pair of extra-base hits in his three at-bats. He's cobbled together a .233/.367/.345 slash line with four home runs and no stolen bases across 281 plate appearances at Triple-A this season. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Shelved with glute strain
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 2:17 PM
The Pirates placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left glute strain.
Analysis: Rodriguez exited Sunday's 11-5 win over the Nationals with what had been described as a left hip issue, but the Pirates have since provided more clarity regarding the catcher's injury. Since the 26-year-old backstop's move to the IL is retroactive to Monday, he'll be eligible to play coming out of the All-Star break, though it's not yet clear if Rodriguez is on pace to be ready to play by then. In the meantime, Henry Davis is expected to serve as the Pirates' primary catcher while Rafael Flores was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to provide the team with another option behind the plate. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Posts quality start in win
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 8:49 PM
Skenes (7-8) earned the win against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.
Analysis: Skenes was given a huge lead and ran with it, throwing 66 of 95 pitches for strikes with 12 whiffs while delivering his ninth quality start of the campaign. It was a much-needed outing for the 24-year-old after he surrendered 11 earned runs over his previous two contests. He owns a 3.58 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB across 103 innings this season and will make his final start before the All-Star break at home against the Brewers this weekend. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Homers thrice in rout
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 8:42 PM
O'Hearn went 4-for-5 with three home runs and 10 RBI in Tuesday's 12-4 win over Atlanta.
Analysis: O'Hearn launched a grand slam and two three-run shots, driving in 10 of Pittsburgh's 14 runs. Per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com, he became just the 17th player in the Modern Era to tally at least 10 RBI in a game. The 32-year-old has now hit safely in eight of his past nine starts, including another multi-homer effort June 28. On the season, he's slashing .293/.351/.500 with 16 homers, 61 RBI, 47 runs scored and one steal across 319 plate appearances in what is shaping up to be a career year. |
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Joshua Palacios Joshua Palacios Nabs minors deal from Pirates
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 4:42 PM
Palacios signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Palacios played in Pittsburgh during the 2023 and '24 campaigns, and he'll now get another shot at returning to the big leagues after slashing .339/.434/.621 across 145 plate appearances with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League. He'll report to Triple-A Indianapolis. |
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Jack Brannigan Jack Brannigan Summoned from minors
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 3:30 PM
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: Brannigan was called up for one day earlier this season but did not appear in a game. The 25-year-old is taking the roster spot of the injured Konnor Griffin (finger) and could see some starts at shortstop while Griffin is out, but the majority of those reps are likely to go to Jared Triolo. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Remaining on bench Tuesday
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 3:29 PM
Rodriguez (hip) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game versus Atlanta.
Analysis: The 26-year-old departed Sunday's win against the Nationals due to the hip issue and will miss at least one start. Henry Davis is working behind the plate Tuesday while Rodriguez recovers. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Begins running progression
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 3:01 PM
Horwitz (hamstring) has begun a running program at the Pirates' spring training complex in Florida, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Horwitz strained his left hamstring two weeks ago but has been cleared to kick off his running progression. If the first baseman is able to advance his rehab without any hiccups, he could begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break and return before the end of July. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Resumes swinging bat
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 2:53 PM
Cruz (hand) has resumed swinging a bat, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Cruz continues to ramp up his baseball activities as he works his way back from a fractured left hand. He still has more boxes to check, but Cruz is tracking toward a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break and a return before the end of July if he continues at his current trajectory. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Out 8-to-10 weeks with finger issue
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 2:20 PM
The Pirates placed Griffin (finger) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a torn tendon in his left ring finger, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Griffin will wear a splint for six weeks and is expected to be sidelined for 8-to-10 weeks. That puts the rookie on the shelf until early September, at minimum, which is a massive blow to the Pirates and Griffin's fantasy managers. Jared Triolo will likely handle the bulk of the playing time at shortstop for the Pirates while Griffin is out. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Dealing with torn finger tendon
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 11:28 AM
Griffin has been diagnosed with a torn tendon in his left ring finger and could be sidelined for at least a month, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Griffin injured the finger while making a diving catch during Sunday's game against the Nationals. He remained in the contest to take two more plate appearances, striking out in one and delivering a two-run single in the other. Passan notes Griffin could opt to play through the injury, but the most likely option is to rehab it, which would shelve the shortstop for at least a month. If an absence is required, Griffin could spend about six weeks in a splint and be out until September, per Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. The Pirates should have more information on Griffin's status prior to Tuesday's contest against Atlanta. |
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