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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Stays hot with 19th homer
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 6:43 AM
Lowe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Mariners.
Analysis: Lowe opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a 391-foot shot off Bryce Miller, his ninth homer of the year. The long ball also extended Lowe's hitting streak to nine games -- he's gone 12-for-39 (.308) with a pair of homers and an .872 OPS in that span. He's now slashing .249/.326/.515 with 51 RBI and 50 runs scored through 331 plate appearances this season. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Looks ready to go for next start
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 3:35 PM
The Pirates are listing Jones (elbow) as their scheduled starter for Saturday's game against the Reds, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Jones had to leave his last outing Sunday versus the Rockies after being struck by a comeback in the pitching elbow. All testing came back clean, however, and Jones appears ready to roll for Saturday's outing. The right-hander has been a little shaky in his five starts since coming off the injured list, posting a 5.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings. Jones hasn't thrown more than 77 pitches in any of those five starts and threw 45 on Sunday before departing, so his workload should be relatively limited Saturday. |
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Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Sharp in third win
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 2:35 PM
Chandler (3-7) earned the win Thursday over the Mariners, allowing a run on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: It was a strong performance from Chandler, who held the Mariners scoreless for four innings before allowing a lone run in the fifth. The right-hander has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last four outings, posting a 2.82 ERA across 22.2 innings in that span. Overall, Chandler's ERA sits at 4.42 through 79.1 innings this season with a 1.39 WHIP and 73:46 K:BB. He's currently lined up to face the Phillies on the road his next time out. |
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Jack Brannigan Jack Brannigan Joins Pirates' roster
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 10:29 AM
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Double-A Altoona on Thursday.
Analysis: He'll grab the roster spot vacated by the injured Spencer Horwitz (hamstring). Brannigan got a late start to the season after fracturing his nose during spring training, and he's hit .235/.333/.522 with eight homers in 31 contests at Altoona since returning. The 25-year-old is likely set for a reserve role, and he'll be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Move to IL made official
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
The Pirates placed Horwitz on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a left hamstring strain.
Analysis: Horwitz suffered the injury during Wednesday's win over the Mariners. The Pirates haven't provided word on the severity of the strain, making it difficult to forecast a timeline for Horwitz's return. Horwitz will be eligible for activation in early July, but with the All-Star break looming, the Pirates could proceed cautiously with the first baseman and keep him on the shelf until the start of the second half, even if his strain is mild. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Exiting starting lineup
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 9:14 AM
Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Mariners.
Analysis: Rodriguez started each of the previous three games at catcher, so he's earned a breather during Thursday's matinee. Henry Davis is doing the catching and batting ninth for the Pirates. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Heading to injured list
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 9:09 AM
The Pirates are expected to place Horwitz (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Horwitz was lifted from Wednesday's game against the Mariners because of left hamstring discomfort. It's unclear at this point how severe the strain is, but even a mild one could knock Horwitz out through the All-Star break. While Horwitz is sidelined, the Pirates will likely use Ryan O'Hearn at first base and Marcell Ozuna at designated hitter most days. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Four hits, three doubles in win
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 9:20 PM
O'Hearn went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-1 win over the Mariners.
Analysis: It was a huge night at the plate for O'Hearn, who'd gone just 1-for-16 over four games prior to Wednesday. He extended Pittsburgh's lead to 7-1 with a two-run double in the seventh inning before driving in a third run with his third double of the contest in the eighth. Overall, O'Hearn is slashing .285/5.342/.467 with 11 homers, 44 RBI and 35 runs scored through 266 plate appearances this season. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Dominant again Wednesday
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:34 PM
Ashcraft (7-3) earned the win Wednesday over the Mariners, allowing a run on five hits over six innings. He struck out 10.
Analysis: After allowing a run on three straight singles to open the first inning, Ashcraft settled in and held Seattle to just two additional hits over his final five frames en route to his seventh victory this season. The 26-year-old Ashcraft has held opponents to two runs or fewer while going at least six innings in seven of his last 10 outings. His ERA is down to 3.07 through 16 starts (96.2 innings) with a 1.09 WHIP and 107:22 K:BB. Ashcraft is currently in line for a tough road matchup with the Phillies his next time out. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Exits with hamstring injury
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 7:32 PM
Horwitz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mariners with left hamstring discomfort.
Analysis: Horwitz went 0-for-1 with a walk before being lifted in favor of a pinch hitter in the fourth inning. The Pirates are still in the process of evaluating the 28-year-old, but there could be an update on his status after the game. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Hurt by long ball Tuesday
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 8:49 AM
Keller (5-5) took the loss Tuesday as the Pirates were downed 3-2 by the Mariners, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over six-plus innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: The veteran right-hander did come away with his eighth quality start of the season, but home runs by Cal Raleigh in the fourth inning and Cole Young in the seventh cost Keller his first win since May 24. It marks the first time in 2026 that he's been taken deep multiple times, but over his last five starts, Keller's served up five homers in 24 innings while going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB. He'll try to get back on track in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Reds. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Next start uncertain
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:29 PM
Jones had additional imaging on his right elbow come back clean and played catch Tuesday, though manager Don Kelly indicated it's too early to know if the right-hander will be ready for his next turn through the rotation, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Jones departed his start Sunday against the Rockies after being struck in the right elbow by a comebacker, and he's now had multiple rounds of medical imaging return negative. Those results are encouraging, but the 24-year-old's availability will likely depend on how he responds to his between-starts bullpen session, which should be scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Starting rehab assignment Wednesday
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:22 PM
Manager Don Kelly announced that Griffin (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The rookie shortstop has been rehabbing his forearm strain in Florida and has been cleared for game action after ramping up his throwing program over the past week. Per Dan Zangrilli of 93.7 The Fan, Griffin could return to the Pirates' active roster as soon as this weekend's series against the Reds. |
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Tyler Callihan Tyler Callihan Exiting starting lineup
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 1:47 PM
Callihan is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Mariners.
Analysis: The left-handed-swinging Callihan has been seeing regular reps in the outfield versus righty hurlers, but he'll begin this one on the bench as the Mariners send George Kirby to the bump. Marcell Ozuna is getting a start at designated hitter while Ryan O'Hearn plays right field. |
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On IL at High-A
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 10:05 AM
High-A Greensboro placed Sanford on its 7-day injured list June 10 due to an unspecified injury.
Analysis: Though the nature of Sanford's injury isn't known, he was removed from his most recent appearance June 6 against Asheville after being hit by a pitch, per Anthony Murphy of Baseball America. One of the top lower-level prospects in the Pittsburgh farm system, Sanford has produced a .287/.425/.539 slash line with 10 home runs and 21 stolen bases across 223 plate appearances with Greensboro on the season. |
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Shelved at High-A
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 9:59 AM
High-A Greensboro placed Blanco on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to an unspecified injury.
Analysis: Blanco may be tending to a lower-body issue, as Anthony Murphy of Baseball America notes that the 21-year-old was lifted for a pinch hitter shortly after legging out a triple in Saturday's game. The first baseman is slashing .237/.319/.500 with 12 home runs and one stolen base over 210 plate appearances with Greensboro on the season. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Completes side session
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 7:49 PM
Dotel (lat) tossed a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: According to general manager Ben Cherington, Dotel's fastball sat around 96 mph during the session, just a couple ticks behind his season-long average (98.2). The Pirates placed Dotel on the 15-day injured list June 13 due to a right lat strain, but he looks on track to avoid an extended absence and could be ready to rejoin the Pittsburgh bullpen by late June. |
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Hunter Barco Hunter Barco Nursing arm injury
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 7:45 PM
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that Barco was removed from his last start Friday at Triple-A Indianapolis due to an apparent left elbow or triceps injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Barco is scheduled to meet with Pirates team doctors Monday, at which time a formal diagnosis for his injury should be made. The 25-year-old lefty has posted a 5.46 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB over 31.1 innings in nine appearances at Triple-A since being demoted April 29. |
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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Three-hit effort Sunday
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 6:34 PM
Mangum went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Rockies.
Analysis: Mangum logged his fifth multi-hit effort over 17 games in June. He's batting .375 (21-for-56) this month, though his only extra-base hits are five doubles. The outfielder has taken over a strong-side platoon role in center field in the absence of Oneil Cruz (hand), but Mangum is also regularly hitting in the bottom third of the order, which limits his upside a bit. On the season, Mangum is batting .306 with a .722 OPS, one home run, 13 RBI, 21 runs scored, seven doubles and 13 stolen bases over 176 plate appearances. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Hits third homer
Sun, Jun 21, 2026, 6:30 PM
Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Rockies.
Analysis: Gonzales got the Pirates on the board when he took Michael Lorenzen deep in the fourth inning. This was Gonzales' second multi-hit effort in his last four games. The infielder is batting .293 on the year, adding a .716 OPS, three homers, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, four stolen bases, 11 doubles and a triple over 72 contests. He continues to occupy a near-everyday role in the lineup, primarily at third base, as he trends toward a career year. |
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