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Kirby Yates Kirby Yates Announces retirement
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 9:10 AM
Yates announced his retirement from Major League Baseball following Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.
Analysis: Yates wrapped up his 12-year MLB career with 1.2 scoreless innings as the opener Saturday, allowing two hits while striking out one batter. He made 46 appearances this season between the Angels and Pirates, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 49:17 K:BB over 42.1 innings. The right-hander also tallied three saves to bring his career total to 101, with 41 of those saves coming in 2019 when he led the majors in the category. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Belts homer No. 35
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 5:01 PM
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.
Analysis: The veteran second baseman took Justin Verlander deep in the fourth inning, in the future Hall of Famer's final career start. Lowe has put together an impressive first season with the Pirates, slashing .260/.331/.493 in 150 games with 35 homers and 96 RBI, the second-highest totals of his career after his 39-homer, 99-RBI eruption for the Rays in 2021. |
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Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Blows third save Saturday
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 4:58 PM
Montgomery (6-4) blew the save and took the loss Saturday as the Pirates fell 4-3 to the Tigers, giving up three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.
Analysis: The southpaw was the seventh pitcher of the afternoon for Pittsburgh in a bullpen day, but Montgomery couldn't protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, instead watching Eduardo Valencia walk it off with a two-run homer. It was Montgomery's third blown save of the season and his first since becoming the Bucs' primary closer after the All-Star break, ending a stretch of 17 straight conversions. Montgomery boasts a 2.93 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 103:26 K:BB in 67.2 innings during a breakout campaign. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Exits early Saturday
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 1:15 PM
Cruz was removed from Saturday's game against the Tigers due to an apparent injury, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Cruz's knee seemed to be bothering him after his foot got stuck in the grass while he made a sliding catch in the first inning, and he was eventually taken out of the game in the third. The Pirates should provide more information on his status in the near future, but with just one game left on the schedule after Saturday, Pittsburgh may opt to keep him on the sidelines no matter what. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Relegated to Triple-A
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 11:04 AM
The Pirates optioned Dotel to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: After giving up two runs (one earned) in three innings Friday, Dotel will be cast out of the Pirates' bullpen in favor of a fresh arm in the form of Hunter Barco. Dotel will finish the MLB season with a 4.46 ERA and 1.37 WHIP alongside a 41:16 K:BB over 42.1 innings. |
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Hunter Barco Hunter Barco Up from Triple-A
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 11:02 AM
The Pirates recalled Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Barco has given up 15 earned runs in just 17.2 major-league innings this season, but he'll return to the Pirates' bullpen nonetheless to help the team get through its final two regular-season contests. Wilber Dotel was optioned to Indianapolis in a corresponding move. |
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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Getting rest Saturday
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 10:10 AM
Mangum isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Mangum will take a seat Saturday after going 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in the series opener Friday. His absence will allow Ronny Simon to pick up a start in right field, batting seventh. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Riding pine Saturday
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 10:08 AM
Gonzales isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis: Gonzales has notched a base hit in each of Pittsburgh's last three games, but he'll begin Saturday's affair in the dugout with Jacob Gonzalez starting at third base and batting eighth. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Taking seat Saturday
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 10:06 AM
Flores isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Detroit.
Analysis: Flores will move to the bench after going 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Friday's series opener. Henry Davis will handle catching duties and bat ninth. |
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Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Early exit in final start of year
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 9:50 AM
Chandler (8-10) took the loss Friday as the Pirates fell 8-7 to the Tigers, coughing up six runs on four hits and four walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: The 24-year-old right-hander managed to avoid serving up a homer for the first time in five September starts, but there wasn't much else encouraging about Chandler's performance. He needed 77 pitches (42 strikes) to record just eight outs, and he heads into the offseason having stumbled to a 6.65 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB in 23 innings over the final month. A late fade isn't all that surprising, however, considering he's thrown a career-high 154 innings in 2026. Chandler will head into next season with a spot in the rotation seemingly sewn up, barring some significant additions to the Pirates' staff. |
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Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Dominant in 17th save
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 4:57 PM
Montgomery picked up the save Thursday versus St. Louis, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Analysis: The left-hander entered for the ninth inning with Pittsburgh holding a 2-1 advantage, and he closed things out in strong form by punching out the side in order to record his 17th save of 2026. Montgomery has turned into a late-inning weapon for the Pirates and hasn't given up a run since July 26. During that 25-game stretch, he's picked up three wins and converted all 15 of his save chances with a 0.65 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Reaches 200 Ks for 2026
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 4:51 PM
Skenes did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out eight.
Analysis: After surrendering five runs during his previous start against Kansas City, Skenes bounced back Thursday in his final outing of the campaign. The right-hander surrendered a first-inning homer to Alec Burleson but locked in from there, allowing just four more baserunners to reach. His strikeout of Leo Bernal to begin the seventh inning was his 200th of the season and signaled an end to his afternoon at 96 pitches. Skenes closes out an up-and-down campaign with a 10-11 record and a 3.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 174.1 innings covering 32 starts. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk Rejoins Pirates' bullpen
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 10:40 AM
The Pirates recalled Sisk from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: The Pirates needed a rested arm after they had a bullpen game Wednesday against the Cardinals. Sisk has pitched well in 39 relief outings with the big club, logging a 3.16 ERA and 48:23 K:BB over 42.2 innings. |
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Khristian Curtis Khristian Curtis Optioned by Pittsburgh
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 10:37 AM
The Pirates optioned Curtis to the Florida Complex League on Thursday.
Analysis: Curtis logged 3.2 innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, yielding a pair of runs. He required 71 pitches to cover his 3.2 frames, so Curtis is being replaced in the Pirates' bullpen by a fresh arm. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Exiting starting lineup
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 9:04 AM
Flores is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cardinals.
Analysis: Henry Davis has been Paul Skenes' personal catcher this season, so it will be Davis behind the dish for Skenes' final outing in 2026. Flores went hitless in the first two games of the series. |
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Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Rare day off Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 9:01 AM
Reynolds is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Cardinals.
Analysis: It's the first day off since June 19 for Reynolds, who is just 5-for-40 (.167) at the plate over his last eight games. Jake Mangum will grab a start in left field while Reynolds rests. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Only run in loss
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:58 PM
Lowe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Cardinals
Analysis: The 32-year-old supplied the only offense for the Pirates when he crushed a Matthew Liberatore pitch nearly into the Allegheny River. This was Lowe's 34th home run of the year, which is his most since the 2021 season when he hit 39 for the Rays. Lowe has been hot in September, slashing .338/.413/.620 with two doubles, six homers, 12 RBI and 12 runs. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller To resume throwing in October
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 2:21 PM
Keller (shoulder) said Wednesday that he feels fully healthy and plans to resume throwing in late October, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Keller has remained shut down since being diagnosed with a right teres major strain in early August. The rest appears to have accomplished its goal thus far, and Keller looks to be on track to have a normal offseason throwing program. Keller held a 5.29 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 89:42 K:BB over 115.2 innings for the Pirates this season. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Exiting lineup versus lefty
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 1:15 PM
Cruz is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Cardinals.
Analysis: The lefty-swinging Cruz will retreat to the bench as the Cardinals send left-hander Matthew Liberatore to the bump. Jake Mangum will patrol center field and will bat ninth for the Pirates. |
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Lake Bachar Lake Bachar Starting again Wednesday
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 9:03 PM
Bachar will start in a bullpen game Wednesday against the Cardinals, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports
Analysis: It will be the second time in four days that Bachar has worked as an opener, as Pittsburgh will once again lean on its bullpen to collect all 27 outs of Wednesday's game. The 31-year-old righty gave up one run on three hits during his lone inning of work against the Royals on Sunday, and he'll likely be pulled after pitching an inning or two against St. Louis. |
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