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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Good to go Tuesday
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 3:04 PM
Valdez (hand) will be in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Valdez was forced to exited Monday's series opener after being struck on the left hand by a pitch, but he won't end up missing a start after he underwent medical testing and was diagnosed with a bruise. The 22-year-old is in a bit of a slump, having gone 3-for-16 with six walks and eight strikeouts over his past six games, but he's been a force at the plate overall in July with a 1.043 OPS through 21 contests. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Suffers concussion on rehab
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 2:44 PM
Horwitz (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a concussion after being hit in the helmet with a pitch while on a rehab assignment, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Horwitz's activation had appeared imminent, but now his status is up in the air. The first baseman initially landed on the 10-day injured list in late June with a left hamstring strain, but his concussion is now the bigger concern. Horwitz will remain on the IL for now and might need to play more rehab games once he's cleared for game action. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Avoids fracture
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 12:36 PM
Valdez was diagnosed with a bruised left hand after medical testing Tuesday showed no fractures, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: After being hit by a pitch on the left hand Monday against the Diamondbacks, the 22-year-old underwent a "battery" of tests Tuesday and appears to have avoided a serious injury. Valdez should be considered day-to-day, though it's unclear if he'll be able to rejoin the lineup for Tuesday's contest. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Nearing rehab assignment
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 11:53 AM
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Cruz (hand) has had "good days of late" and could be ready to start up a rehab assignment in early August, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Cruz has been on the shelf since sustaining a fractured left hand June 8 and will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Aug. 7. He would appear to have decent odds of being ready to rejoin the Pirates on or around that date, as he's been swinging a bat for a few weeks and seems to have moved past the lingering soreness in his hand that he had experienced early on during the recovery process. Cruz will continue to ramping up over the next few days before the Pirates potentially map out a rehab assignment for him. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk Starts throwing again
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 11:39 AM
Sisk (elbow) began a throwing progression July 18, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Pirates haven't provided word on when Sisk will be ready to begin a rehab assignment, but that could happen soon if he's experienced no setbacks while ramping up his throwing. Before hitting the shelf July 4 due to left elbow inflammation, Sisk turned in a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB in 36.1 innings out of the Pittsburgh bullpen. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez To undergo imaging Tuesday
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 11:24 PM
Valdez (hand) is expected to undergo more imaging Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of Tribune-Review Sports reports.
Analysis: Valdez left Monday's game against Arizona after being hit by a pitch in the series opener, and the team failed to provide much of an update following his departure. He was presumably sent for X-rays immediately after exiting, though the club evidently wants to send him for further scans Tuesday morning. Valdez can be considered day-to-day until more information comes to light. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Plays hero in extra-inning win
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 10:10 PM
Lowe went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI during the Pirates' 3-2 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.
Analysis: Monday's game was a low-scoring affair, but Lowe put the Pirates on the board with an RBI single in the sixth inning before sending fans home happy with a walk-off RBI single in the 10th. He's tallied three hits in back-to-back games and six times this season, and it was also his 16th multi-RBI game of the year. Lowe is slashing .251/.319/.478 with one steal, 21 home runs and 67 RBI over 436 plate appearances this season. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Yields two runs in no-decision
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 10:07 PM
Keller did not factor into Monday's decision against Arizona, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four across 5.1 innings.
Analysis: Keller kept pace with Merrill Kelly in Monday's pitching duel before the former gave up the first runs of the game in the sixth on a Max Kepler double, though Keller came away with the no-decision after his Pirates teammates forced extra-innings. He's given up two earned runs or less in back-to-back starts and sports a 4.83 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB over 113.2 innings this season. Keller is lined up to face the Reds on the road this weekend. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Exits game after HBP
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 6:44 PM
Valdez was removed during the fourth inning of Monday's game against the Diamondbacks after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Valdez was plunked by a 91 mph fastball from Merrill Kelly in the fourth frame and was in visible pain. Valdez walked off the field with trainers, and the Pirates should have an update on his injury once he undergoes further tests. He was replaced by Jared Triolo, who has taken over at shorstop with Jacob Gonzalez moving to first base and Tyler Callihan shifting to right field. |
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Shawn Ross Shawn Ross DFA'd by Pittsburgh
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 5:35 PM
The Pirates designated Ross for assignment Monday.
Analysis: Ross was removed from the 26-man roster earlier in the day and is now off the 40-man roster. The transaction clears a spot for the addition of Johnathan Rodriguez. There's a good chance Ross clears waivers and remains in the organization. |
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Johnathan Rodriguez Johnathan Rodriguez Traded to Pittsburgh
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 5:28 PM
The Pirates acquired Rodriguez from the Orioles on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.
Analysis: Rodriguez will remain in the minors as the Pirates optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis following the move. He has spent the majority of the 2026 season in Triple-A, where he is slashing .269/.369/.384 with one steal, four home runs and 21 RBI over 255 plate appearances. He appeared in seven major-league games for the Orioles before he was designated for assignment Thursday. |
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Shawn Ross Shawn Ross Sent back to Triple-A
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 2:29 PM
The Pirates optioned Ross to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: After receiving his first big-league call-up Friday when Rafael Flores (concussion) landed on the 7-day injured list, Ross will head back to Triple-A three days later with Pittsburgh getting another catcher in Endy Rodriguez (glute) back from the 10-day IL. Ross was able to make an impact at the dish in his short time in the majors, going 1-for-5 with a two-run home run over two games. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Back from IL
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 2:26 PM
The Pirates reinstated Rodriguez (glute) from the 10-day injured list Monday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Rodriguez won't be included in the starting nine for Monday's series opener versus the Diamondbacks, but he should at the very least move back into a timeshare at catcher with Henry Davis. Before hitting the shelf July 8 due to a left glute strain, Rodriguez slashed .260/.388/.470 with five home runs, two stolen bases, 16 RBI and 15 runs over his 35 games with Pittsburgh. The Pirates optioned catcher Shawn Ross to Triple-A Indianapolis to open up a spot on the active roster for Rodriguez. |
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Seth Hernandez Seth Hernandez Lands on IL at High-A
Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 11:57 AM
High-A Greensboro placed Hernandez on its 7-day injured list Saturday due a left oblique discomfort, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Hernandez's most recent appearance with Greensboro came Friday, when he logged three shutout innings with five strikeouts. The Pirates haven't provided an update on the severity of the young right-hander's injury, making it difficult to project whether he'll pitch again in 2026. Hernandez has put together a dominant first season in the professional ranks, collecting a 2.43 ERA and 118:31 K:BB over 74 innings between Greensboro and Single-A Bradenton. |
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Pops first career homer
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 9:40 PM
Ross went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Cubs.
Analysis: Ross drew his first big-league start Sunday and took immediate advantage, slugging the two-run homer in his first plate appearance. Endy Rodriguez (glute) is nearing his return and will likely cost Ross his roster spot, but Ross will serve as Pittsburgh's backup catcher in the short term. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Smacks 14th homer
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 9:13 PM
Valdez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI on Sunday against the Cubs.
Analysis: Valdez continued to power the Pirates' offense, first delivering a solo home run in the second inning and then an RBI single three frames later. He continues to have an extreme boom-or-bust profile, as he's struck out at a 38.9 percent clip since the start of July. On the other hand, he has eight home runs, 24 RBI and 16 runs scored across 20 games in that span. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Grand slam against Cubs
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 9:02 PM
O'Hearn went 1-for-2 with a grand slam, two walks and two runs scored Sunday against the Cubs.
Analysis: O'Hearn broke the game open with a grand slam in the third inning, his 17th home run of the season. He's now matched his career-best homer total -- previously set in 2025 -- but he's reached the mark in 169 fewer plate appearances in the current campaign. O'Hearn has slumped for much of July, and he's gone only 6-for-31 since the All-Star break. |
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Rejoins High-A lineup
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 6:18 PM
Blanco (hamstring) has gone 2-for-8 with a home run, a double and five RBI in two games for High-A Greensboro since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Blanco had been on the IL for just over a month before returning to action for Greensboro after completing a four-game rehab assignment between the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Single-A Bradenton. The 21-year-old has produced plenty of pop with 26 extra-base hits in 51 games at High-A this season, but he's getting on base at just a .317 clip. |
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Khristian Curtis Khristian Curtis Deactivated at Triple-A
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 6:08 PM
Triple-A Indianapolis placed Curtis on its 7-day injured list Saturday due to an unspecified injury, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Curtis presumably sustained the injury during his 3.2-inning relief appearance with Indianapolis on Friday. The right-hander had just been optioned to Triple-A last weekend after he made his MLB debut with the Pirates shortly after the All-Star break. |
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Running hot since return
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 6:05 PM
Jebb (thumb) has gone 5-for-9 with two home runs and five RBI in two games for Triple-A Indianapolis since being reinstated from the 60-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Jebb had been on the shelf since April 28 after fracturing and suffering ligament damage to his left thumb and undergoing surgery. The 24-year-old hasn't needed much time to rediscover his power stroke upon returning to action at Indianapolis and has now slugged four home runs in eight Triple-A games this season. |
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