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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Starting Friday's game
Thu, Aug 6, 2026, 4:07 PM
Mlodzinski will start Friday's game against the Mets, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Analysis: Mlodzinski is getting another opportunity to start for the Pirates after Mitch Keller (arm) went down with a season-ending injury. Although each of Mlodzinski's last 14 appearances have come in relief, he has covered multiple innings in all of those outings, including going three shutout frames in each of his last two trips to the hill. He threw 47 pitches in his last appearance Aug. 1, so Mlodzinski should be handle around 60 pitches Friday. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Day off amidst slump
Thu, Aug 6, 2026, 11:24 AM
Valdez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.
Analysis: Valdez has really been fighting it at the plate lately. He's 0-for-13 with 11 strikeouts so far in August, and over his last 15 contests is just 5-for-45 with 35.5 percent strikeout rate. He will get a day Thursday to regroup while Ronny Simon fills in in right field for the Pirates. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Goes yard again
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 10:35 PM
Rodriguez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Brewers.
Analysis: Rodriguez has hit safely in seven of eight games since he returned from a glute injury. He's also homered in consecutive contests, giving him seven long balls on the year. The catcher is batting .269 with an .856 OPS, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, six doubles and six stolen bases over 153 plate appearances. Henry Davis has hit just .206 since the All-Star break, so it looks like Rodriguez will continue to push the Pirates' catching situation into at least a timeshare. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Handed another loss
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 10:30 PM
Skenes (9-10) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss versus the Brewers on Wednesday.
Analysis: Skenes has walked a season-high four batters in each of his last two starts. He's also allowed 13 runs over his last 14.1 innings, marking another rough patch in a season that has seen the right-hander struggle more often than usual. He threw just 53 of 93 pitches for strikes in Wednesday's outing. For the season, Skenes has a 3.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 162:36 K:BB through 129.2 innings over 24 starts. He's projected to make his next start at Miami. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Call-up official
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 6:48 PM
The Pirates selected Simon's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: Pittsburgh released designated hitter Marcell Ozuna to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Simon, who will be up in the big leagues for the first time in 2026. The 26-year-old posted an .883 OPS with eight home runs and 32 steals at Triple-A this season and should offer the Pirates some versatility off the bench. Simon is a switch-hitter who's capable of playing multiple infield and outfield spots. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Sitting Wednesday
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 4:48 PM
Horwitz is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Brewers on Wednesday.
Analysis: Horwitz has gone 1-for-12 with a double and three RBI in his three games since being reinstated from the 10-day injured list Sunday. He'll be on the bench for Wednesday's contest while Rafael Flores starts at first base and bats eighth. |
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Chris Devenski Chris Devenski Activated, loses roster spot
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 2:33 PM
The Pirates reinstated Devenski (illness) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and outrighted him to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Analysis: Devenski had been on the shelf since May 7 due to an unspecified illness. Though the veteran right-hander healthy again after having made five minor-league rehab appearances since the All-Star break, the Pirates didn't have room for him in the big-league bullpen and dropped him from the 40-man roster. He looks set to report to Indianapolis, though he would have the ability to elect free agency if he wants to pursue opportunities outside of the organization. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Demoted to Indianapolis
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 2:24 PM
Pittsburgh optioned Dotel to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: Dotel made five appearances with the big-league club since being activated from the injured list July 18. In 14 games in the majors, the 23-year-old posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 26.2 innings. Dotel is being sent to Triple-A in order to make room for recently activated Evan Sisk. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk Returns from IL
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 2:20 PM
Pittsburgh reinstated Sisk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Sisk was on the shelf for about a month due to left elbow inflammation before getting the green light to rejoin the Pirates after making two rehab appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis last weeked. The Pirates optioned right-hander Wilber Dotel to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Sisk, who owns a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB over 36.1 innings with Pittsburgh this season. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Lasts four innings in loss
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 11:08 PM
Jones (2-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings.
Analysis: Jones was tagged for a solo homer by Jackson Chourio in the third inning before Andrew Vaughn led off the fourth with a solo shot of his own as part of a two-run frame. The right-hander matched his season-high pitch count of 83 but was only able to complete four innings. He has now taken a loss in consecutive starts. After missing all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Jones owns a 4.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 62:16 K:BB across 56 innings in his comeback campaign. He's slated to face the Mets at home Sunday in his next start. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Returning to majors
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 10:35 PM
The Pirates are expected to select Simon's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Simon got his first taste of the majors last season but slashed just .234/.299/.273 across 88 plate appearances between Miami and Pittsburgh. He's spent all of 2026 at Triple-A and will now receive another shot with the big club after batting .322 with an .883 OPS across 99 games. |
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Nick Yorke Nick Yorke Beginning rehab assignment
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 5:25 PM
Yorke (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on Tuesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Yorke is currently on the Triple-A injured list and hasn't played since June 17 due to a shoulder issue. The 24-year-old opened the season with the Pirates but slashed just .197/.279/.276 with four extra-base hits, six RBI, six runs scored and a 7:17 BB:K across 86 trips to the plate before being demoted. |
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Noah Murdock Noah Murdock Optioned to Indianapolis
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 4:14 PM
The Pirates optioned Murdock to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: Murdock made two appearances for the Pirates after getting recalled July 29. He pitched a total of three innings and allowed no runs on three hits and a 4:3 K:BB. He's getting sent down to help make room for Lake Bachar, Luke Weaver and Kirby Yates, who were all acquired in trades Monday. Brandon Eisert was also optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. |
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Brandon Eisert Brandon Eisert Sent back to Triple-A
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 4:08 PM
The Pirates optioned Eisert to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: The Pirates activated the trio of Lake Bachar, Luke Weaver and Kirby Yates, who were all acquired through trades Monday. Eisert was recalled Monday but did not make an appearance. The Pirates also optioned Noah Murdock on Tuesday. |
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Lake Bachar Lake Bachar Traded to Pirates
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 10:49 AM
The Pirates acquired Bachar from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for Brandan Bidois, Hyun Seung Lee and Brian Sanchez.
Analysis: Bachar has logged a 3.84 ERA and 61:21 K:BB over 58.2 frames out of the Marlins' bullpen this season. The 31-year-old reliever will offer the Pirates the ability to cover multiple innings, and he is under team control through 2030. |
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Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Shuts door for third save
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:21 PM
Montgomery secured the save Monday against the Brewers, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out three.
Analysis: Montgomery notably worked behind co-closer Gregory Soto and new addition Camilo Doval on Monday. The Pirates will also soon be getting in the mix another ninth-inning option in Luke Weaver following the trade deadline, so fantasy managers should keep close tabs on this closer hierarchy going forward to see how Pittsburgh decides on the division of labor. Montgomery has a 3.72 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 72:21 K:BB over 46 innings with three saves in five chances. |
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Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Fans five in fourth win
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 11:12 PM
Chandler (4-8) earned the win Monday against the Brewers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: A throwing error by Esmerlyn Valdez kept an earned run off Chandler's line in the sixth inning, but the hurler was then lifted from the outing promptly following that sequence. The hard-throwing right-hander's control has been erratic all year long, as Monday marked the 11th time this year that he's issued at least three walks among his 22 outings. Chandler will take a 4.49 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and an especially concerning 98:61 K:BB over 110.1 innings into his next scheduled start against the reeling Mets. |
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Ron Marinaccio Ron Marinaccio Designated for assignment
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 6:42 PM
The Pirates designated Marinaccio for assignment on Monday.
Analysis: He was acquired less than two weeks ago but lost his spot on the 40-man roster after the Pirates traded for Lake Bachar on Monday. Marinaccio gave up four earned runs in 5.1 innings while pitching out of the Pirates' bullpen. |
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Dealt to Bucs
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 6:18 PM
The Pirates acquired Moore from the Padres on Monday in exchange for right-hander Hunter Stratton.
Analysis: Moore is a 26-year-old reliever who has never pitched in the majors. He has posted a 6.14 ERA with more walks (19) than strikeouts (17) in 14.2 innings at Triple-A this season. |
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Brandon Eisert Brandon Eisert Summoned to majors
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 5:40 PM
Pittsburgh recalled Eisert from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Analysis: After being optioned to Indianapolis last Wednesday, Eisert will rejoin the Pirates less than a week later with Mitch Keller (arm) going on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over 32 appearances in the majors this season between stops with the White Sox and Pirates, the left-handed reliever owns a 6.29 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 40:12 K:BB across 34.1 innings. |
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