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Brandon Eisert Brandon Eisert Shipped to Pittsburgh
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 10:01 PM
The White Sox traded Eisert and Jacob Gonzalez to the Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league reliever Jaden Woods and the 34th pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Eisert has struggled to find his footing in the big leagues this season, logging a 5.93 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 27.1 innings with the White Sox. Unless a change of scenery sparks a significant turnaround, the 28-year-old southpaw is likely to remain in a middle-relief role with the Pirates. |
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Jacob Gonzalez Jacob Gonzalez Traded to Pirates
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 9:57 PM
The White Sox traded Gonzalez and Brandon Eisert to the Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league reliever Jaden Woods and the 34th pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: After sending him down to Triple-A earlier in the day, the White Sox will now send Gonzalez out to Pittsburgh to help bolster the Pirates' infield depth. The 24-year-old has slashed .244/.323/.360 across 97 plate appearances in the majors since making his MLB debut May 31, but he boasts a 1.040 OPS at the Triple-A level. With Konnor Griffin (finger) expected to miss multiple months and Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) also on the IL, Gonzalez could get an opportunity to contribute right away for the big club. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft MIL-PIT postponed
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 7:24 PM
Ashcraft and the Pirates won't face the Brewers on Friday, as the game was postponed due to rain.
Analysis: The Pirates and Brewers will play a doubleheader Saturday to make up Friday's contest, and Ashcraft will toe the slab during the earlier game, per Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com. The 26-year-old righty has collected a win in each of his last four starts while posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB across 23.2 innings. |
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Hunter Stratton Hunter Stratton Optioned to Triple-A
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 1:10 PM
The Pirates optioned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: The Pirates are in need of bullpen reinforcements, and Stratton had pitched two of the past three days. Thomas Harrington and Antwone Kelly are being called up to supplement the club's relief corps. |
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Cam Sanders Cam Sanders Demoted to Indianapolis
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 1:08 PM
The Pirates optioned Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Sanders was touched up for three runs on two hits and three walks while recording just two outs in Thursday's loss to Atlanta. He threw 39 pitches in the appearance, so the Pirates are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm. |
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Thomas Harrington Thomas Harrington Promoted to big leagues
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 8:22 AM
The Pirates will recalled Harrington from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Harrington has had a rough season at Indianapolis, posting a 6.52 ERA and 56:26 K:BB across 58 frames. He's been used as a multi-inning reliever over the past several weeks, so Harrington will give the Pittsburgh bullpen some length. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Coming up from Triple-A
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 8:17 AM
The Pirates recalled Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kelly made his major-league debut earlier this season for Pittsburgh, allowing two runs over 2.1 innings in his lone appearance. The 22-year-old has logged a 4.85 ERA and 54:33 K:BB over 68.2 frames at Indianapolis in 2026. Kelly is presumably up to provide the bullpen with some length. |
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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Fills stat sheet in loss
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 6:47 PM
Mangum went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, an additional RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 10-5 loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: It's the fourth career four-hit game for Mangum, highlighted by his two-run blast off Bryce Elder in the fourth inning, his second homer this season. The switch-hitting outfielder has gone 18-for-50 (.360) over his last 12 games, boosting his slash line to .311/.361/.383 across 244 plate appearances this season with 32 runs scored, 18 RBI and 18 stolen bases. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Falls to Atlanta
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 6:33 PM
Keller (6-7) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Keller has been struggling mightily of late, posting a 7.62 ERA in his last eight starts (39 innings). The home-run ball in particular has been a problem for Keller -- he's now given up six long balls in his last four outings. The right-hander will head into the All-Star break with a 5.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:35 K:BB across 19 starts (103.1 innings). |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Filling in for Griffin at shortstop
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 11:53 AM
Triolo will make his third straight start at shortstop in Thursday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Triolo briefly transitioned back into a utility role in late June when Konnor Griffin settled back in as the Pirates' top shortstop after a one-month absence due to a forearm flexor strain, but a regular spot in the middle infield has reopened for Triolo after Griffin was moved back to the IL on Tuesday due to a torn tendon in his left ring finger. Griffin faces an estimated recovery timeline of 8-to-10 weeks, so unless the Pirates bring another shortstop aboard prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Triolo should be in line for an extended run as an everyday player. Though Triolo is regarded as a strong defender, he's offered limited fantasy value this season with a .236 average, one home run, six steals, 14 RBI and 19 runs across 198 plate appearances. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Receiving afternoon off
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 11:48 AM
Davis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Though he looks like the Pirates' new No. 1 catcher after Endy Rodriguez (glute) was placed on the injured list Wednesday, Davis will get a breather Thursday while Pittsburgh closes out its series against Atlanta with a day game after a night game. Rafael Flores will step in behind the dish and will bat eighth. |
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Grae Kessinger Grae Kessinger Nabs MiLB deal from Pirates
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 8:42 AM
The Pirates signed Kessinger to a minor-league contract Wednesday.
Analysis: Kessinger -- who had been in the Mets organization -- will help backfill the organization's shortstop depth following the injury to Konnor Griffin (finger). The 28-year-old Kessinger missed the beginning of this season with a significant hamstring strain and slashed just .151/.242/.264 in 17 games with Triple-A Syracuse. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Stellar in no-decision
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 8:22 PM
Jones did not factor into the decision Wednesday against Atlanta, logging eight strikeouts across six perfect innings.
Analysis: While the Pirates failed to provide Jones with any run support in an eventual 3-0 defeat, the right-hander's dominant performance certainly offered a silver lining. Jones struck out eight of the 18 batters he faced, ultimately needing 77 pitches to get through six perfect innings. The 34-year-old Jones has now allowed just five earned runs across 17.2 innings in his last four starts as he continues to work his way back from UCL surgery that ended his 2025 campaign. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.37 with a 1.14 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB through his first eight starts (35 innings) this season. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Serving as DH on Wednesday
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:57 PM
Ozuna will start at designated hitter and bat seventh Wednesday against Atlanta.
Analysis: Ozuna will pick up just his second start through the Pirates' first seven games of July. Per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday that Ozuna had been managing a toe injury that rendered him unavailable for a few of the Bucs' games in Washington over the weekend, but it's unclear if the 35-year-old would have started in any of those contests even if fully healthy. Ozuna has been a major disappointment this season, having thus far turned in a career-worst .610 OPS while striking out in 30.7 percent of his plate appearances. |
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Tyler Callihan Tyler Callihan Exiting lineup Wednesday
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:53 PM
Callihan is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: After starting in each of the last three games at three different positions, Callihan will give up his spot in the lineup Wednesday to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Callihan produced a 1.350 OPS in his first 10 games with Pittsburgh following his promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis in late May, but he's cooled down considerably since then, slashing .224/.278/.327 with a 35.2 percent strikeout rate over his subsequent 19 contests. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Stepping in as No. 1 catcher
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:50 PM
Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Davis had already started behind the plate in two of the Pirates' previous three games, but Endy Rodriguez's (glute) move to the 10-day injured list Wednesday will clear the way for the former to serve as the team's primary backstop through the All-Star break. For the season, Davis is slashing an abysmal .155/.250/.323 slash line, but he's been much better since the beginning of June with a .758 OPS over 17 games. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Moves up to majors
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 3:32 PM
The Pirates recalled Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: Flores will provide the Pirates with an extra option behind the plate beyond Henry Davis after Endy Rodriguez (glute) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Flores -- who is also capable of playing first base -- was up with the Pirates for a brief spell in June and produced a pair of extra-base hits in his three at-bats. He's cobbled together a .233/.367/.345 slash line with four home runs and no stolen bases across 281 plate appearances at Triple-A this season. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Shelved with glute strain
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 2:17 PM
The Pirates placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left glute strain.
Analysis: Rodriguez exited Sunday's 11-5 win over the Nationals with what had been described as a left hip issue, but the Pirates have since provided more clarity regarding the catcher's injury. Since the 26-year-old backstop's move to the IL is retroactive to Monday, he'll be eligible to play coming out of the All-Star break, though it's not yet clear if Rodriguez is on pace to be ready to play by then. In the meantime, Henry Davis is expected to serve as the Pirates' primary catcher while Rafael Flores was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to provide the team with another option behind the plate. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Posts quality start in win
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 8:49 PM
Skenes (7-8) earned the win against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.
Analysis: Skenes was given a huge lead and ran with it, throwing 66 of 95 pitches for strikes with 12 whiffs while delivering his ninth quality start of the campaign. It was a much-needed outing for the 24-year-old after he surrendered 11 earned runs over his previous two contests. He owns a 3.58 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 123:23 K:BB across 103 innings this season and will make his final start before the All-Star break at home against the Brewers this weekend. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Homers thrice in rout
Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 8:42 PM
O'Hearn went 4-for-5 with three home runs and 10 RBI in Tuesday's 12-4 win over Atlanta.
Analysis: O'Hearn launched a grand slam and two three-run shots, driving in 10 of Pittsburgh's 14 runs. Per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com, he became just the 17th player in the Modern Era to tally at least 10 RBI in a game. The 32-year-old has now hit safely in eight of his past nine starts, including another multi-homer effort June 28. On the season, he's slashing .293/.351/.500 with 16 homers, 61 RBI, 47 runs scored and one steal across 319 plate appearances in what is shaping up to be a career year. |
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