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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Dismissed from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 3:32 PM
The Pirates optioned Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Analysis: Valdez was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The Pirates added the 22-year-old corner outfielder to the 40-man roster over the winter after he slashed .286/.376/.520 with 26 home runs across 528 plate appearances between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona in 2025. |
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Thomas Harrington Thomas Harrington Headed back to Triple-A
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 3:26 PM
The Pirates optioned Harrington to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Analysis: Harrington was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The 24-year-old righty parlayed a strong showing last spring into a spot in the Pirates' season-opening rotation, but he made just one start and one extended relief appearance before he was sent back to the minors. He went on to make another long-relief appearance for Pittsburgh in early August, but he struggled across all three of his big-league outings and didn't fare much better over more extended action at Triple-A (5.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 96 innings). Harrington remains an interesting prospect, but he's since been passed up on the organizational depth chart by a trio of young arms (Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Hunter Barco) and may not be in store for another look in the big-league rotation anytime soon. |
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Brandan Bidois Brandan Bidois Sent packing from big-league camp
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 3:18 PM
The Pirates optioned Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Analysis: Bidois was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The Pirates added the 24-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster in the offseason after he turned in a 0.74 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 69:27 K:BB while holding opposing hitters to a .110 average over 61 innings across four minor-league stops in 2025. |
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Thomas Harrington Thomas Harrington Works four scoreless innings
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 9:11 PM
Harrington allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two across 4.0 scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.
Analysis: This marked Harrington's second appearance of the spring, and he worked efficiently while ramping up to 44 pitches. He put 29 of those in the strike zone, while punching out Riley Greene and Colt Keith. Harrington has now allowed one earned run across six innings while striking out two and walking three this spring. He has an outside chance to earn a rotation role to begin the season, but he will more likely begin the campaign at Triple-A Indianapolis. |
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Hunter Barco Hunter Barco New pitch mix
Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 9:02 PM
Barco added a changeup, sweeper and sinker to his pitch mix this offseason, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: Barco featured a fastball, spltter and slider during his brief big-league debut at the end of 2025, but believed he needed to add to his arsenal to stick in the rotation. He threw six changeups among his 57 pitches in Saturday's Grapefruit League outing against the Tigers, during which he surrendered three earned runs across three innings while striking out three and walking one. Despite the bumpy outing, Barco showed improved control, registering his first appearance of the spring without giving up multiple free passes. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Uncertain role
Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 10:32 PM
Horwitz enters the 2026 season with an uncertain defensive home, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: Horwitz was the Pirates' primary first baseman when healthy in 2025, and he delivered a solid 119 wRC+ across 411 plate appearances. However, the team brought in Ryan O'Hearn this winter, and he will almost certainly get some playing time at first base. The team's other additions of Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna lower the potential playing time available at second base and designated hitter, respectively, leaving Horwitz without an obvious path to a regular defensive home. O'Hearn is slated to also play in right field, so Horwitz should still get a fair bit of run at first base while also occasionally filling in at second base and DH as needed. |
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Tyler Callihan Tyler Callihan Sent to Pittsburgh
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 6:37 PM
The Pirates acquired Callihan from the Reds in exchange for Kyle Nicolas on Wednesday.
Analysis: The 25-year-old utility man made his MLB debut last season with Cincinnati, seeing action across four games. He recorded one single, one RBI and one strikeout across six plate appearances. Callihan will compete for a depth role in Pittsburgh after he showed impressive bat-to-ball skills at the Triple-A level in 2025, slashing .303/.410/.528 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 19 runs scored, six stolen bases and a 16:29 BB:K across 106 trips to the plate. |
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Nick Yorke Nick Yorke Adds muscle, tweaks swing
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:19 AM
Yorke added significant muscle over the offseason and also tweaked his swing in order to create more loft, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Yorke worked out for three-and-a-half hours per day on a near-daily basis over the offseason to remake his body and add strength. It's already shown up in his spring training results, too, as he's gone 4-for-11 at the plate in the early going and during Tuesday's game versus the Red Sox hit two balls in excess of 110 mph. Yorke is competing for a utility role with the Pirates. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Gearing up for WBC
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 10:51 AM
Pirates manager Don Kelly said he expects Skenes to cover at least three innings in his Grapefruit League start Wednesday versus Atlanta, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner will be making his spring debut Wednesday, though he already threw a three-inning simulated game last week as part of his ramp-up program. Wednesday's start will mark Skenes' final outing before he joins Team USA in advance of the World Baseball Classic. Once the WBC concludes, Skenes could make one final tune-up appearance before likely taking the hill for the Pirates' March 26 season opener versus the Mets at Citi Field. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Eyeing late-March return to action
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 9:28 AM
Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Simon (shoulder) is projected to return to game competition in late March or early April, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: According to Tomczyk, Simon is "doing very well" four-plus months after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. The 25-year-old has been taking swings in the batting cage without restrictions so far in camp, and he's set to take another step forward next week, when he's scheduled to face live pitching in batting practice. However, because Simon won't be game-ready until late March, he would appear to be firmly out of the mix for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Should be game-ready by late May
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 9:25 AM
Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Jones (elbow) should be ready for game action when he's eligible to return from the 60-day injured list in late May, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: It's not clear whether that means he will be ready to pitch for the Pirates at that point or ready to pitch on a rehab assignment. Jones underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last May and is "coming out really good" following a live batting practice session Friday, per Tomczyk. The 24-year-old made 22 starts for the Pirates in 2024, posting a 4.14 ERA and 132:39 K:BB across 121.2 frames. |
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Billy Cook Billy Cook Back to full health for camp
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 9:14 AM
Cook (hand) made a pair of starts in the Pirates' first three Grapefruit League games over the weekend, going a combined 1-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
Analysis: Cook finished the past season on the shelf at Triple-A Indianapolis due to a hand injury, but he looks to be fully healthy for spring training. The 27-year-old will be competing for a reserve spot in the Pirates' Opening Day outfield, but the fact that he has two minor-league options could work against him in his efforts to break camp with the big club. |
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Carson Fulmer Carson Fulmer Lands MiLB deal with Bucs
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:15 AM
Fulmer agreed to a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Monday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, which will give Fulmer the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen. The 32-year-old righty didn't pitch after Aug. 23 last season after sustaining a right elbow strain, but with the offseason to recover, he should be at or near full health. Fulmer made 13 appearances out of the Angels bullpen prior to being shut down with the injury, turning in a 5.83 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 29.1 innings. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Set for live batting practice
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 8:54 AM
Jones (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: It'll be the first time Jones has faced hitters since he underwent a UCL reconstruction on his right elbow last May. The young right-hander has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, so he will not be eligible for his season debut until late May. A return by that time would be a best-case scenario, but Jones' rehab has gone well to this point. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller First spring start scheduled
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 8:16 PM
Keller will make his Grapefruit League debut Sunday against the Rays, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Keller has turned into a consistent starter for the Pirates, though he endured a tough second half of 2025 by posting a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 57.1 innings. He's looking to be more consistent in 2026, but he's posted an ERA in the low 4.00s with a WHIP in the mid 1.20s in each of the last three seasons. Keller will remain a stalwart in the rotation in 2026 and could serve as the No. 2 starter behind Paul Skenes. |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Favorite to start at third
Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 7:30 PM
Triolo is expected to start at third base for the Pirates to begin the 2026 season, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: Triolo is an elite defender at both second and third base, and is also capable of filling in at shortstop. The Pirates value that versatility, but the team has failed to land any of their targets at third base this offseason. That leaves Triolo as the favorite to start at the hot corner, though his productivity as a hitter could dictate his ability to remain an everyday player. Triolo has a career 87 wRC+ across 1,031 plate appearances, though he posted a 117 wRC+ across 216 plate appearances in the second half of 2025. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Set to play RF
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 11:26 PM
The Pirates plan to play O'Hearn primarily in right field in 2026, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: O'Hearn was originally projected to play at either first base or serve as DH, but the addition of Marcell Ozuna will take away many of those at-bats. O'Hearn will seemingly be Pittsburgh's primary right fielder as a result, a position he played 149.0 innings at in 2025. He registered negative-4 runs saved in that span, though left field is the far more difficult corner to cover at PNC Park. |
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Jack Suwinski Jack Suwinski Cleared off 40-man roster
Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 9:28 AM
The Pirates designated Suwinski for assignment Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Suwinski ended up being the casualty after the Pirates needed to free up a 40-man roster spot for the signing of Marcell Ozuna. After showing promise in his first two big-league seasons with 45 home runs over 250 games, Suwinski managed a weak .169/.271/.297 batting line and 29.9 percent strikeout rate over the subsequent two seasons. The 27-year-old doesn't have minor-league options remaining, but he's shown enough upside that he could draw interest via waivers. |
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Thomas Harrington Thomas Harrington Looks healthy for spring
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 10:47 AM
Harrington (groin) tossed a bullpen session Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Harrington didn't pitch after Aug. 28 last season after aggravating a right groin injury, but the 24-year-old righty had a healthy offseason and is good to go for spring training. He reached the majors for the first time in 2025 but labored over his three appearances (one start) for the Pirates, giving up 15 earned runs on 18 hits and seven walks across 8.2 innings. Harrington will compete for an Opening Day rotation spot in spring training, but he's likely to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Reworking stance and swing
Sat, Feb 14, 2026, 9:55 PM
Davis studied the biomechanics of his swing this offseason and has made adjustments to both his stance and swing, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: Davis has reversed his scouting report as a prospect early in his big-league career, struggling as a hitter but becoming a solid defensive option at catcher. He acknowledged that he lost his rhythm at the plate and was not close to reaching an answer by solely watching film and working in the batting cage, so he worked with hitting coach Matt Hague to change his stance this offseason. Davis is reportedly more upright and no longer rests the bat on his shoulder, with the goal being to improve against high-spin and high-velocity pitches. While the Pirates remain optimistic about Davis' ability to develop as a hitter, the reality remains that he has hit just .181/.262/.294 across 660 plate appearances in the majors. |
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