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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Back in action Friday
Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 4:58 PM
Rodriguez (hip) is starting behind the plate and batting seventh Friday against the Marlins.
Analysis: The 26-year-old exited Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to left hip discomfort but is ready to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Marlins. Since going 2-for-4 with a double and a homer June 2, Rodriguez has just one hit in 16 at-bats over his past seven contests. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Up with big club
Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 9:47 AM
The Pirates recalled Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Kelly has logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 47:24 K:BB across 54 innings with Indianapolis this season. He's been used mostly as a starting pitcher with Indianapolis, but the Pirates will break him in at the major-league level as a reliever. |
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Brandan Bidois Brandan Bidois Optioned to Triple-A
Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 9:44 AM
The Pirates optioned Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Bidois has had a rough week, yielding five runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over two innings in two appearances. His spot in the bullpen will be filled by Antwone Kelly. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Clubs first career homer
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 11:07 PM
Flores went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double, a second RBI and a walk in Thursday's 8-6 loss to the Dodgers.
Analysis: Flores got the start behind the plate as the Pirates deal with a bit of a crisis at catcher. Endy Rodriguez (hip) was banged up from Wednesday's game, while Henry Davis (paternity) and Joey Bart (foot) were both unavailable. This was just the ninth game of Flores' big-league career, and he delivered a homer in the fifth inning to get Pittsburgh on the board. His stay in the majors is likely to be short, but he could get another game or two before heading back to Triple-A Indianapolis. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Homers in loss
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 11:02 PM
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 8-6 loss to the Dodgers.
Analysis: Lowe has gone 6-for-33 (.182) over nine games in June, though all six knocks have gone for extra bases (two homers, four doubles). The second baseman helped the Pirates put a dent in a five-run deficit, though they ultimately never caught up. On the year, Lowe is batting .249 with an .858 OPS, 16 homers, 45 RBI, 42 runs scored, 16 doubles and a triple over 63 contests. He has yet to attempt a stolen base, but he's on pace to reach the 30-homer mark for the second year in a row and the third time in his career. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Struggles in third straight start
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 10:59 PM
Keller (5-4) allowed five runs on seven hits, four walks and two hit batsmen while striking out three over four innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Thursday.
Analysis: Keller's struggles reached a third straight start, a span in which he's been unable to complete five frames. He's given up 18 runs over 12.2 innings across those outings, and he's allowed at least four runs in five of his last six games. Keller's now at a 5.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 58:27 K:BB through 77 innings over 14 starts. His next start is projected to be on the road against the Athletics in hitter-friendly Sacramento, which could be trouble for him trying to end the skid. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Ticketed for big leagues
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 10:28 PM
The Pirates are expected to recall Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Friday's game against the Marlins, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis: The 22-year-old will be looking to make his big-league debut after posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 47:24 K:BB across 54 innings with Indianapolis. Kelly appeared in 13 games, making 10 starts, at Triple-A. He's expected to work out of the Pittsburgh bullpen. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Back up in majors
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 12:41 PM
The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Valdez went 2-for-16 with a pair of home runs during an earlier stint in the big leagues this season. The Pirates could give Valdez regular chances in the outfield while they deal with the fallout of the Oneil Cruz's absence due to a hand injury. Valdez, 22, has slashed .255/.388/.526 with 13 home runs across 237 plate appearances with Indianapolis this season. |
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Davis Wendzel Davis Wendzel Optioned to Triple-A
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 12:36 PM
The Pirates optioned Wendzel to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Wendzel was just promoted earlier this week and went 0-for-4 at the dish in his only start. He's being replaced on the active roster by Esmerlyn Valdez. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Fans four in no-decision
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 10:58 PM
Jones took a no-decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: After missing just over a year due to elbow surgery, Jones continues to work with a pitch count during the early stages of his campaign. The 24-year-old right-hander has yet to reach the 80-pitch marker, but he's given up just a pair of runs in his past two outings while also keeping the ball in the park. Jones is next set to take a 4.73 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 13.1 innings into a tough road assignment against the Athletics. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Exits with hip injury
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 8:06 PM
Rodriguez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers with left hip discomfort.
Analysis: Rodriguez went 0-for-3 before his hip forced him to make an early exit in the eighth inning. The severity of his injury is still unclear, but with Joey Bart (foot) and Henry Davis (paternity) both out, Rafael Flores could be in line to start a game or two behind the plate for the Pirates. |
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Billy Cook Billy Cook Back in majors
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 4:29 PM
The Pirates recalled Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: With Oneil Cruz (hand) expected to spend roughly a month on the injured list, the Pirates will recall Cook from the minors to round out their outfield unit. The 27-year-old was sent down to Triple-A after posting just a .380 OPS through 32 games with the Pirates, but he has since slashed .283/.411/.435 while adding two homers, nine RBI, 10 runs and four steals in 13 contests. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Placed on IL
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 4:23 PM
The Pirates placed Cruz on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Monday, with non-displaced fourth and fifth metacarpal fractures in his left hand.
Analysis: Cruz sustained the injury during a hard slide in Saturday's contest and hasn't played since. He'll land on the injured list now that he's been confirmed to be dealing with multiple fractures, and the Pirates expect him to be sidelined for about a month, per Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com. Billy Cook was recalled from Triple-A to replenish Pittsburgh's outfield depth. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Back on bench Wednesday
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 4:11 PM
Ozuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.
Analysis: Ryan O'Hearn will get the nod at designated hitter Wednesday after Ozuna filled that spot in the lineup the previous two games while going 1-for-7 with four strikeouts. After signing a one-year, $12 million deal in February, Ozuna has been a major disappointment so far for the Pirates. He's striking out at a career-high 29.1 percent clip and has posted a .580 OPS through 50 games, a bottom-five mark among players who have logged at least 200 plate appearances. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Out of lineup due to hand issue
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 4:05 PM
Cruz (hand) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.
Analysis: Cruz will remain on the bench for a third straight game while he continues to experience discomfort stemming from a cut to his left hand, which he sustained during a hard slide in Atlanta over the weekend. Jake Mangum will pick up a start in center field in place of Cruz, who is being viewed as day-to-day while he continues to receive treatment for the injury. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Throws from 90 feet Wednesday
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 3:17 PM
Griffin (elbow) did some flat-ground throwing from out to 90 feet Wednesday at about 75 percent intensity, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Griffin threw for the first time since he landed on the 10-day injured list May 31 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. He also took part in fielding drills without throwing, which is something the rookie has done since first going on the IL. Griffin remains without a timeline to rejoin the Pirates' active roster, but more clarity on that front should become available as he continues to ramp up his throwing. |
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Joey Bart Joey Bart Starting up rehab assignment
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 1:35 PM
Bart (foot) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Single-A Bradenton, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Bart has reached the final phase of his recovery process from a left foot infection, which has kept him on the 10-day injured list since May 12. Given the length of his absence, Bart could remain on assignment in the minors through the weekend before the Pirates evaluate him for a return during their six-game road trip next week. Prior to being deactivated, Bart had produced a .669 OPS over 62 plate appearances on the season. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Moves up to big leagues
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 1:32 PM
The Pirates recalled Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Flores will likely be in line for a short-term stay with the Bucs during his first stint in the big leagues this season, as he's slated to provide Pittsburgh with another option at catcher behind Endy Rodriguez while Henry Davis (personal) is on the paternity list. While splitting time between catcher and first base at Triple-A this season, Flores has slashed .207/.320/.324 with four home runs in 53 games. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Goes on paternity leave
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 1:29 PM
The Pirates placed Davis on the paternity list Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Davis will be away from the Pirates for 1-to-3 days while he welcomes his first child into the world. Pittsburgh recalled Rafael Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis to provide an additional option at catcher behind Endy Rodriguez while Davis is on paternity leave. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Settles for quality start Tuesday
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 9:11 AM
Skenes didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 12-3 loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: The 24-year-old ace tossed 103 pitches (62 strikes) en route to his first quality start since May 12 and his sixth of the season, but Skenes left the mound with the score tied 2-2 before watching the Pirates' bullpen implode in a 10-run seventh inning for the Dodgers. Skenes will take a 2.84 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Marlins. |
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