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Billy Cook Billy Cook Optioned to Triple-A
Thu, May 21, 2026, 3:55 PM
The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Analysis: He's being sent out to make space on the active roster for Esmerlyn Valdez. Cook has been on the big-league roster but hasn't played much, going 4-for-21 at the plate while making only six starts. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Promoted to big leagues
Thu, May 21, 2026, 3:43 PM
The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Analysis: Valdez earned his first promotion to the majors after slashing .253/.381/.506 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and 25 runs scored over 194 plate appearances at Indianapolis. He's worked primarily in right field throughout his minor-league career, making him a logical choice to fill in as Pittsburgh's right fielder while Ryan O'Hearn (quad) is on the injured list. That said, the Pirates recalled Jhostynxon Garcia from Triple-A on Tuesday for a similar purpose, so it's unclear how reps will be divided between the two prospects. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Sharp again in third win
Thu, May 21, 2026, 2:59 PM
Ashcraft (3-2) earned the win Thursday over the Cardinals, allowing a run on four hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out nine.
Analysis: Ashcraft was impressive Thursday, holding St. Louis to a lone run on an Ivan Herrera third-inning homer while matching a season high with nine strikeouts. Ashcraft has pitched into the seventh inning in four consecutive starts, posting a 2.14 ERA in that span (28.1 innings). Overall, his ERA is down to 2.89 with a 1.03 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB across 10 starts (62.1 innings) this season. Ashcraft will look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively scheduled to come at home against the Cubs. |
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Chris Devenski Chris Devenski Nearing return
Thu, May 21, 2026, 12:46 PM
Devenski (illness) was cleared to resume all baseball activities last week and began throwing bullpen sessions May 13, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Devenski was placed on the shelf May 7 due to an unspecified illness, but he seems to be making good progress in his recovery. The veteran right-hander could be cleared to head out on a brief rehab assignment in the coming days before returning from the 15-day injured list. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk Clean frame in win
Thu, May 21, 2026, 11:48 AM
Sisk threw a perfect inning with one strikeout in a 7-0 win over St. Louis on Wednesday.
Analysis: The 29-year-old entered in the seventh inning and struck out Nathan Church en route to his eight scoreless showing in the last nine appearances. Sisk has recorded a 1.71 ERA through his first 21 innings this season, though he's primarily been limited to middle relief thus far while picking up two holds and no saves. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Fifth rehab start on tap
Thu, May 21, 2026, 10:35 AM
Jones (elbow) will head to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday to make the fifth start of his rehab assignment, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: After making his last two appearances with Double-A Altoona, Jones will move back to Indianapolis this weekend for the Pirates are hoping is the final rehab outing he'll require before coming off the 60-day injured list. The 24-year-old threw 67 pitches over 4.1 innings during his most recent outing for Altoona on Sunday and should continue building up his workload during his upcoming start with Indianapolis. Assuming the Pirates are comfortable with how Jones' surgically repaired elbow responds following Saturday's start, he could be cleared to make his 2026 debut with the big club as soon as May 28 versus the Cubs or May 29 versus the Twins, both of which would come in Pittsburgh. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Exiting starting lineup
Thu, May 21, 2026, 9:44 AM
Gonzales is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest in St. Louis.
Analysis: It looks to be a routine day off for Gonzales, who has reached base four times in the first two games of the series. Jared Triolo will cover third base for the Pirates in Thursday's rubber match. |
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Jhostynxon Garcia Jhostynxon Garcia Not in Thursday's lineup
Thu, May 21, 2026, 9:42 AM
Garcia is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis.
Analysis: Garcia started the first two games for the Pirates upon his promotion, going 3-for-9 with a 0:3 BB:K, but he'll grab a seat in Thursday's series finale. Jake Mangum will handle right field for Pittsburgh. |
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Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Driving in runs
Thu, May 21, 2026, 7:25 AM
Reynolds went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Reynolds made his lone hit of the day count, as he delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning. He's had a pair of timely hits to begin Pittsburgh's series against the Cardinals, giving him four RBI in his last two games. Reynolds has hit for modest power this season, but he has taken advantage of an upgraded lineup around him to log 30 RBI in 49 contests. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Knocks in two
Thu, May 21, 2026, 7:22 AM
Gonzales went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Wednesdsay against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Gonzales hit atop the Pirates' order for the second consecutive game, and for the first time against a righty. He hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning and followed that up with an RBI single two frames later. Gonzales has hit for an empty .319 batting average so far this season, though he does have four RBI, six runs scored and one stolen base across his last 10 starts. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez On base four times
Thu, May 21, 2026, 7:14 AM
Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored Wednesday against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Rodriguez struck out in his first plate appearance but reached base in his next four at-bats. He made his third start since being recalled to the majors, while Henry Davis has made five starts in that same span. Rodriguez has gone 4-for-16 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI in his big-league sample, and he could continue to push for playing time given the lack of production from Davis. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:02 PM
Davis is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Davis will head to the bench after starting behind the plate in each of the previous three games while going 0-for-9 with two strikeouts. Now batting just .137 on the season, Davis could be at risk of falling into more of a timeshare at catcher with Endy Rodriguez, who draws the starting nod Wednesday. |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Streak of starts ends
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:00 PM
Triolo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Triolo will head to the bench after wrapping up a six-game stretch in which he made two starts apiece at three different positions -- first base, third base and right field -- and went a collective 7-for-18 with a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and a run. The Pirates should have a regular spot in the lineup available for Triolo against left-handed pitching, but his playing time versus righties may be more sporadic. Pittsburgh has an opening in its everyday lineup while Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) is on the shelf, but manager Don Kelly could prefer to rotate the likes of Triolo, Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia at that spot rather than leaning exclusively on one player. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Absent from Pittsburgh lineup
Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:58 PM
Ozuna is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis.
Analysis: The Cardinals are sending Michael McGreevy to the bump, marking the second time in a row that the right-handed-hitting Ozuna has been absent from the lineup against a righty. Oneil Cruz will get a start at designated hitter for the Pirates, and Jhostynxon Garcia will patrol center field. |
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Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Sent down to minors
Wed, May 20, 2026, 10:57 AM
Pittsburgh optioned Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: The 30-year-old will be sent back to Triple-A after posting a 4.12 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 19.2 innings for Pittsburgh on the season. The Pirates will replace Mattson in the bullpen with right-hander Wilber Dotel, who was recalled from Indianapolis. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Back with Pittsburgh
Wed, May 20, 2026, 10:50 AM
The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Analysis: Dotel has been summoned back to Pittsburgh after previously appearing in three games with the big-league club in late April. During his first taste of the majors, the right-hander posted a 1.35 ERA over 6.2 innings out of the bullpen. The 23-year-old has maintained a 5.32 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 23.2 innings while primarily working out of the rotation at Triple-A, but he's expected to return to a relief role during his upcoming stint in the big leagues. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Works 5.2 frames in no-decision
Tue, May 19, 2026, 11:06 PM
Keller allowed four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Tuesday.
Analysis: Keller began his outing with two scoreless frames before giving up a two-run homer to JJ Wetherholt in the third. The Cardinals tacked on another run in the fourth inning, and the final run on Keller's line came after he was pulled with two outs in the sixth. Keller managed just seven whiffs and three punchouts, and he's had four or fewer strikeouts in seven of his 10 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start in Toronto. |
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Jhostynxon Garcia Jhostynxon Garcia Recalled, batting sixth Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 3:44 PM
The Pirates recalled Garcia from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: The move was reported Monday and has now been made official. Garcia is starting in right field and batting sixth Tuesday in St. Louis in what will be his team debut. He was acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason in the Johan Oviedo trade and has slashed .205/.256/.356 with three home runs in 19 games this season with Indianapolis. |
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Jhostynxon Garcia Jhostynxon Garcia Headed to big leagues
Mon, May 18, 2026, 8:16 AM
The Pirates are slated to recall Garcia from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Tuesday's game in St. Louis, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Garcia has been scorching hot in May since returning from a back injury, slashing .368/.432/.895 with six home runs in 11 games between a rehab stint at Single-A Bradenton and then Indianapolis. With Ryan O'Hean (quad) slated to miss several weeks of action, Garcia should see regular playing time in the Pirates' outfield. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Rare dud in third loss
Sun, May 17, 2026, 5:37 PM
Skenes (6-3) took the loss Sunday against the Phillies, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: After twirling eight innings of scoreless ball in back-to-back starts, Skenes stumbled in a tough spot against the red-hot Phillies on Sunday. Three of his hits allowed went for extra bases, and the All-Star right-hander gave up more than three runs for the first time since his disastrous Opening Day start against the Mets. Despite Sunday's hiccup, Skenes still holds a stellar 2.62 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 63:8 K:BB over 55 innings ahead of his next scheduled outing in Toronto. |
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