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Henry Davis Henry Davis Bound for bench Sunday
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 12:39 PM
Davis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: Davis had started behind the plate in the previous two games, but he'll likely see his playing time take a hit after the Pirates recently brought back Endy Rodriguez and Spencer Horwitz from the injured list. Horwitz should settle back in as the Pirates' everyday first baseman, which leaves fewer reps available at the position for Rodriguez, who could end up seeing the bulk of the starts behind the plate as a result. |
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Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Demoted to Triple-A
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 11:59 AM
The Pirates optioned Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Analysis: The right-hander was called up Saturday and will return to Indianapolis without making an appearance during his one-day stint in the majors. Mattson has been inconsistent across 36 big-league outings this year with a 4.93 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB over 34.2 innings. |
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Billy Cook Billy Cook Returns to Triple-A
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 11:49 AM
The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Analysis: The 27-year-old will lose his place on the active roster since Spencer Horwitz (concussion) was activated from the injured list Sunday. Cook hasn't taken advantage of his chances in the big leagues this year and has a .200/.200/.267 slash line with 18 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Making return from IL
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:51 AM
The Pirates reinstated Horwitz (concussion/hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Sunday. He'll start at first base and bat fifth in the Pirates' series finale in Cincinnati.
Analysis: Horwitz had been on the shelf since June 25 after suffering a left hamstring strain, but he was expected to return to the Pittsburgh lineup earlier in the week after completing a three-game rehab assignment. However, he sustained a mild concussion in his final minor-league contest July 25, prompting the Pirates to delay his activation a few days until he was no longer exhibiting any symptoms of the head injury. Horwitz should settle back in right away as the Pirates' everyday first baseman after batting .280/.386/.455 with 10 home runs, 36 runs and 33 RBI in 74 games prior to landing on the IL. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Locks down 14th save
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 10:47 PM
Soto secured the save Saturday against the Reds, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.
Analysis: Soto made quick work of the Reds, firing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes. The Pirates acquired Camilo Doval from the Yankees on Saturday to bolster the back end of their bullpen, and 29-year-old possesses closing experience that offers Pittsburgh another option among its high-leverage options. Soto has been shaky as the club's primary closer this season, posting a 3.69 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB with 14 saves in 19 attempts over 46.1 innings. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Five strong innings before delay
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 10:22 PM
Ashcraft (11-4) notched the win Saturday against the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Ashcraft likely would have come out for the sixth inning if not for nearly a two-hour rain delay Saturday, as his 69 pitches were a season low amid a strong outing. It was a promising start to the month of August as well for the All-Star right-hander, who yielded a staggering 17 earned runs over 19.2 innings for a 7.78 ERA and 1.73 WHIP during July. Ashcraft will take a 3.96 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 140:31 K:BB across 127.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Milwaukee. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Sitting down Saturday
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 4:04 PM
Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: Rodriguez has notched a hit in all four of his games since returning from the injured list Monday, but he'll retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Henry Davis will handle catching duties and bat ninth. |
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Hunter Stratton Hunter Stratton DFA'd by Pirates
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 3:56 PM
The Pirates designated Stratton for assignment Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Stratton will give up his place on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster to make room for Camilo Doval, who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees on Saturday. Stratton has given up two runs in 3.1 big-league innings this season but hasn't yet allowed a run through eight frames at Triple-A Indianapolis. |
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Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Back in big leagues
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 3:19 PM
The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Mattson has given up four runs across his last two big-league appearances, but the Pirates will bring him back into their bullpen as the replacement for Antwone Kelly. Sporting a 4.93 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 34.2 innings in the majors, Mattson will likely be limited to low-leverage work. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Relegated to Indy
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 3:15 PM
The Pirates optioned Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Kelly pitched three shutout innings during Friday's loss to the Reds, but he'll now be pushed out of the bullpen by Isaac Mattson in an effort to keep Pittsburgh's bullpen well-rested. Now with a 6.14 MLB ERA through 7.1 frames, Kelly could still return to the majors later in the year to supply the Pirates with length out of the pen. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Activated from IL
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 3:05 PM
The Pirates reinstated Flores (concussion) from the injured list Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: After suffering a concussion last weekend, Flores is now fully recovered and will claim the roster spot vacated by Ryan O'Hearn (quad), who landed on the 10-day injured list Saturday. Flores has gone 4-for-15 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in the majors this year and will provide depth at catcher and first base. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Out 6-to-8 weeks
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 3:00 PM
The Pirates placed O'Hearn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left quad strain, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: O'Hearn had to be helped off the field Friday after tweaking his quad while running to first base, and he's expected to remain on the shelf for roughly 6-to-8 weeks after being diagnosed with a strain. His initial timeline leaves room for him to return during the final weeks of the regular season, but the Pirates could elect to keep him out for the rest of the year depending on where they sit in the race for a postseason berth when he gets close to being fully healthy. Until then, Jacob Gonzalez figures to see more time at first base, and Rafael Flores (concussion) will come off the IL to fill the open roster spot. |
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Camilo Doval Camilo Doval Dealt to Pirates
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 1:24 PM
The Yankees traded Doval to the Pirates on Saturday in exchange for minor-leaguers Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Doval owns a 4.54 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 39.2 innings this season and had been losing out on high-leverage work with the Yankees, recording just one hold and no saves in his last 23 appearances. He might not immediately be in the mix for saves upon joining the Pirates, but the 29-year-old's experience as a closer could allow him to climb up the leverage ladder quickly if his performance improves. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Extends hitting streak to 15 games
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 9:17 AM
Gonzales went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Friday against the Reds.
Analysis: Gonzales jump-started the Pirates' offense in the first inning with a two-RBI single, extending his hitting streak to 15 games. He's hit .379 in that span, also collecting eight RBI and 11 runs scored to go along with two home runs. Gonzales' performance at the plate was overshadowed by a defensive miscue that cost the Pirates a win, but he should remain the team's primary third baseman for at least the next month with Konnor Griffin (finger) sidelined. |
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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Big day in wild loss
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 8:55 AM
Mangum went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 8-7 loss to the Reds.
Analysis: His second-inning shot off Hunter Greene briefly gave the Pirates a 3-2 lead in a wild back-and-forth affair. Mangum's homer was just his third of the year, while the steal was his 20th, marking the second straight season in which he's reached that milestone. Over 24 games in July, Mangum put together a .319/.379/.436 slash line with two home runs, six stolen bases, nine RBI and 14 runs while acting as the primary center fielder in the absence of Oneil Cruz (hand). |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Stumbles in Cincy
Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 8:51 AM
Skenes didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 8-7 loss to the Reds, coughing up five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: The star right-hander managed only one clean inning before getting the hook after 100 pitches (65 strikes), and Skenes served up homers to JJ Bleday in the third inning and Sal Stewart in the fourth while issuing a season high in free passes. It's the first time since July 1 that he's been taken deep at all, but Skenes would just as soon put the month behind him -- over six outings and 31.2 innings, he stumbled to a 6.25 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Milwaukee. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Helped off field
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 8:23 PM
O'Hearn was removed from Friday's game against the Reds with an apparent quad injury, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: O'Hearn was grabbing at his left quad while attempting to beat out a groundball in the ninth inning, and he had to be helped off the field by the Pirates' training staff. He'll presumably be sent in for imaging, and the team could provide an update on his health in the near future. If he ends up needing to miss additional time, Jacob Gonzalez would presumably shift to first base, opening up shortstop for Jared Triolo. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Recalled from Triple-A
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 2:32 PM
The Pirates recalled Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kelly has made a pair of relief appearances for the Pirates this season, giving up five runs with a 1:2 K:BB over 4.1 frames. The right-hander threw five shutout innings in his last relief outing at Indianapolis last Saturday, so he's prepared to provide length out of the Pittsburgh bullpen, if needed. |
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Hunter Barco Hunter Barco Sent back to Indianapolis
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 2:28 PM
The Pirates optioned Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Barco gave up two runs on five hits and three walks in three innings as a bulk reliever Thursday versus the Reds. He was not going to be available to pitch for at least a day or two, so the Pirates will replace him in the bullpen with a fresh arm. |
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Hunter Barco Hunter Barco Flounders in bulk relief
Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:26 PM
Barco took a no-decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in three relief innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: Working in long relief behind opener Yohan Ramirez, Barco was mostly ineffective in a laborious outing Thursday. The southpaw landed only 42 of his 72 pitches for strikes, walking multiple batters in his fourth consecutive major-league appearance while failing to work at least five frames in any of them. Through 14.2 innings, Barco has a disastrous 7.36 ERA, 2.11 WHP and 10:12 K:BB and might soon be headed back to Triple-A Indianapolis following his first big-league showing since April 28. |
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