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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Reaches 20 homers in loss
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 7:49 PM
Lowe went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Reds.
Analysis: Lowe gave the Pirates an early lead with a three-run blast in the third inning before adding a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The 30-year-old has hit safely in 10 of his past 11 contests, tallying six extra-base hits, 10 RBI and eight runs scored during that stretch. On the year, he's slashing .246/.320/.515 with 20 homers, 56 RBI and 51 runs scored across 341 plate appearances. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Exceeds 80 pitches in no-decision
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 7:45 PM
Jones did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Reds, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Analysis: Jones allowed runs in three separate frames but posted his highest pitch count of the season, throwing 52 of 81 pitches for strikes with 12 whiffs. Although none of his six outings have exceeded five innings, the 24-year-old has yielded three earned runs or fewer four times as he continues to get stretched out. He'll carry a 5.76 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 25:9 K across 25 frames this season into a road matchup with the Phillies next week. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Blows save, takes loss Saturday
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 7:23 PM
Soto (4-2) blew a save and took the loss against the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in the ninth inning.
Analysis: Soto was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and surrendered a go-ahead three-run homer with two outs. It continued a rough June for the 31-year-old, who's yielded runs in four of eight outings and owns a 12.15 ERA for the month. On the year, he's 11-for-15 in save chances with a 3.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Idle Saturday
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 1:32 PM
Griffin isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: Griffin went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a hit-by-pitch during his first game back from the injured list Friday, but he'll take a seat Saturday while the Pirates look to manage his workload. Jared Triolo will fill in at shortstop and bat ninth. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Goes yard in return to lineup
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 9:05 AM
Griffin went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Reds.
Analysis: Activated from the IL earlier in the day after missing nearly a month due to a flexor strain, Griffin quickly demonstrated that he was fully recovered when he crushed the second pitch he saw from Andrew Abbott over the fence in left-center field. The precocious shortstop is slashing .275/.333/.420 through his first 52 big-league games with five homers, 14 steals, 23 RBI and 31 runs. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Fans seven in Friday's no-decision
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 9:01 AM
Skenes came away with a no-decision Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings as the Pirates fell 6-4 to the Reds. He struck out seven.
Analysis: All four runs against the right-hander came in a rough second inning that saw the first five Cincinnati hitters reach base before Skenes finally recorded outs on back-to-back sacrifice flies. It's the first time since May 23 that Skenes has been tagged for more than two earned runs, and through five starts in June he's delivered a 3.58 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB through 27.2 innings. He'll look for his first win since May 12 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Philadelphia. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Out of lineup again Friday
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:55 PM
Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: After making three straight starts at catcher, Rodriguez is now on the bench for the second game in a row. Henry Davis will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Pirates. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Getting rare breather
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:53 PM
Gonzales is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Reds.
Analysis: It's the first time since May 21 that Gonzales has been out of the Pirates' lineup. Jared Triolo will cover third base in the series opener. |
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Jack Brannigan Jack Brannigan Goes back to Double-A
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:20 PM
The Pirates optioned Brannigan to Double-A Altoona on Friday.
Analysis: Brannigan was on the major-league roster for just one day and did not play in Thursday's win over the Mariners. The 25-year-old has slashed .235/.333/.522 with eight homers in 31 contests during his time with Altoona in 2026. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Making return from IL on Friday
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 1:11 PM
The Pirates activated Griffin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Griffin has been sidelined for all of June after being diagnosed with a flexor strain. He played just one rehab game with Double-A Altoona, reaching base in all four plate appearances which included a home run and a triple. Griffin played shortstop in that contest, so it does not appear the Pirates will ease the rookie back into things at designated hitter. He's at shortstop and batting leadoff in Friday's game versus the Reds. The 20-year-old was slashing .270/.327/.402 with four home runs and 14 stolen bases in 51 games before getting hurt. |
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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 current 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 slashing .249/.326/.515 with 51 RBI and 50 runs scored through 331 plate appearances in his first season with Pittsburgh. |
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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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