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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Strikes out 10 in complete game
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 6:39 PM
Ashcraft (12-5) earned the win in a complete game Thursday against the Marlins, allowing a run on three hits and a walk. He struck out 10.
Analysis: Ashcraft was dominant Thursday, as he held Miami scoreless for eight innings before Owen Caissie led off the ninth with a home run. It was an especially encouraging performance for the right-hander, who had stumbled to a 7.88 ERA across 24 innings in his previous five outings. Ashcraft's ERA now sits at 3.88 across 24 starts (141.1 innings) this season with a 1.11 WHIP and 155:33 K:BB. He's tentatively in line to face the Tigers at home his next time out. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Homers twice, drives in six
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 6:32 PM
Flores went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and six total RBI in Thursday's 13-1 win over Miami.
Analysis: Flores, making his second start in Pittsburgh's last five games, extended the Pirates' lead to 8-0 in the eighth inning with a three-run blast off John King before capping the scoring in the ninth with another three-run blast after Marlins' third baseman Javier Sanoja took over on the mound. Coming into the day, Flores had just one homer through his first 12 games this season while going 1-for-15 in his last eight contests. He'll primarily serve as Henry Davis' backup behind the plate while Endy Rodriguez (hip) is sidelined. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk Headed to Triple-A
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 11:09 AM
The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Sisk was scored upon in three of four appearances since coming off the injured list last week. Isaac Mattson was called up from Triple-A to take over Sisk's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen. |
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Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Rejoins big-league bullpen
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 11:06 AM
The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Mattson was sent down earlier this month after posting a 4.93 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB over 34.2 innings. He'll aim for more consistency with the Pirates this time around. |
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Jack Brannigan Jack Brannigan Recalled from Triple-A
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 11:04 AM
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Brannigan struck out in his lone plate appearance with the Pirates this season and has slashed only .205/.305/.352 during his time with Indianapolis. The 25-year-old should serve as a reserve infielder. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Placed on IL with hip injury
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 10:59 AM
The Pirates placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left hip inflammation.
Analysis: Rodriguez hasn't played in almost a week, and he was unable to show enough progress over that time to avoid a stint on the IL. He will be eligible to return late next week, but it's unclear whether Rodriguez might be ready for activation at that time. Henry Davis and Rafael Flores will handle the catching duties for the Pirates while Rodriguez is shelved. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Exiting starting nine
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 9:42 AM
Simon is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.
Analysis: Simon had made six consecutive starts and went 8-for-23 at the plate during that stretch, but he will exit the lineup for Thursday's series finale. Brandon Lowe will get a start at designated hitter for the Pirates, while Nick Gonzales shifts to second base and Jared Triolo grabs a start at third base. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Remains out Thursday
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 9:38 AM
Rodriguez (hip) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.
Analysis: Rodriguez hasn't played in nearly a week as he continues to battle left hip discomfort. The Pirates have been viewing the injury as a day-to-day situation, but the longer Rodriguez's absence drags on, the likelier a stint on the injured list becomes. Rafael Flores will start at catcher Thursday. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Battered for loss
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 10:59 PM
Mlodzinski (6-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings as the Marlins secured the 8-2 win. He struck out one.
Analysis: Mlodzinski has only pitched 5.1 innings and has given up nine runs in his first two starts since May 25. With Mitch Keller shut down for the rest of the season (arm), Mlodzinski has gotten the chance to start for the Pirates, but has suffered two losses with significant damage. Even with the rough appearances, the righty is scheduled to start agains next week versus the Tigers. |
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Khristian Curtis Khristian Curtis Removed from 7-day IL
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 5:00 PM
Curtis (side) was reinstated from Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list Wednesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Curtis has been sidelined by side discomfort since July 25, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to return to Triple-A. He made his major-league debut with the Pirates on July 18, when he operated in a bulk-relief role against the Guardians and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings. Curtis has a 5.84 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 24.2 innings in the minors this season but could see some major-league action over the final weeks of the regular season. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Another start on tap Wednesday
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:47 PM
Mlodzinski will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Miami.
Analysis: Mlodzinski rejoined the rotation last week after the Pirates shut Mitch Keller down for the season Aug. 3 due to a right arm teres major muscle injury. While making his first start since May 25 in last Friday's 6-4 loss to the Mets, Mlodzinski dropped to 6-4 on the season while yielding five earned runs on seven hits and one walk across three innings. He threw 63 pitches in that outing but should be able to push up into the 70-to-80 range Wednesday as he builds back up following his extended stay in the bullpen. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Handling regular role
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:36 PM
Simon will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis a week ago, the switch-hitting Simon appears to have taken hold of a spot in the Pirates' everyday lineup. He'll pick up his sixth consecutive start Wednesday after going 6-for-19 with a a double, a walk, a stolen base, three runs and two RBI. Simon could soon be in danger of a role reduction, however, as the Pirates appear likely to get center fielder Oneil Cruz (hand) back from the injured list either later this week or early next week. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Filling in for banged-up Rodriguez
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:28 PM
Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Davis will be making his fourth straight start behind the dish while Endy Rodriguez continues to miss time while nursing a hip injury. The Pirates are treating Rodriguez as day-to-day, and if Rodriguez is able to avoid a trip to the injured list and return to the lineup in the near future, Davis will likely see his playing time fall by the wayside. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Missing out on fifth straight start
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:25 PM
Rodriguez (hip) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Rodriguez will be relegated to the bench for a fifth consecutive game while he contends with left hip discomfort. Henry Davis will get another start at catcher in place of Rodriguez, whom the Pirates are viewing as day-to-day. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Outdueled on Tuesday
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 8:57 AM
Skenes (9-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Marlins. He struck out four.
Analysis: Pittsburgh's hitters couldn't solve Eury Perez and the Miami bullpen, giving Skenes no margin for error in a solid outing. While Skenes made an early exit after 65 pitches (45 strikes), manager Don Kelly told Jason Mackey of MLB.com after the game that there was no injury concern with the right-hander. Instead, the game situation presented Kelly with an opportunity to give the 24-year-old right-hander a bit of extra rest. Skenes has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs in 14.1 innings over his prior three starts, and his fastball velocity was down over one tick Tuesday, averaging 95.7 mph. Skenes will look to rally in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox. |
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Lands on IL
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 4:50 PM
The Pirates placed Johnson on the 7-day injured list Tuesday due to a left knee injury, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson left Saturday's game for Triple-A Indianapolis after four innings due to the knee injury. He appeared to have suffered the injury while he stumbled over the first base bag while trying to leg out an infield single. The 22-year-old had to be carted off the field with an air cast, but exact details of the injury have not been revealed. |
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Nick Yorke Nick Yorke Activated from IL
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 4:43 PM
The Pirates reinstated Yorke (shoulder) from the 7-day injured list Tuesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Yorke was on the 7-day injured list since June 18 due to a shoulder injury. He has rejoined Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday after spending his rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Out again Tuesday
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 2:44 PM
Rodriguez (hip) is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against Miami.
Analysis: Rodriguez will sit out his fourth consecutive game as he continues to manage his left hip discomfort. Henry Davis will once again be behind the plate and bat ninth for Pittsburgh. |
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Back in action at Greensboro
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 11:59 AM
Sanford (hand) has gone 3-for-9 with four walks, two stolen bases and two runs in three games for High-A Greensboro since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Sanford was on the shelf for just over a month while recovering from a hand injury. The 20-year-old shortly has cobbled together a .289/.434/.529 slash line with 10 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 51 games at Greensboro this season. |
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Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Struggling out of break
Sun, Aug 9, 2026, 10:47 PM
Reynolds went 1-for-3 with a double Sunday against the Mets.
Analysis: Reynolds has struggled out of the All-Star break, going just 19-for-90 (.211) across 22 games. Even when he has collected hits, they haven't been for much damage, as he has seven total extra-base hits -- including one home run -- with only four RBI in that span. Despite the slow stretch, Reynolds is still hitting .268 with 80 runs scored, 63 RBI and 15 home runs across 522 plate appearances for the season. |
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