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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Exits after HBP
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 7:53 PM
Gonzales was removed from Friday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit on the head by a pitch.
Analysis: Gonzales was taken out of the game immediately after taking a 94-mph fastball off his helmet in the fifth inning. He's been diagnosed with a facial contusion and is considered day-to-day by the team. Jared Triolo would likely be next in line to start at third base if Gonzales has to miss extra time. |
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Diagnosed with torn ACL and LCL
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 5:01 PM
Johnson has been diagnosed with a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee and will undergo season-ending surgery, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Johnson had to be carted off the field during this past Saturday's game with Triple-A Indianapolis after stumbling over the first-base bag while attempting to leg out an infield single. It's a brutal injury for the 22-year-old infielder, who will undergo more examinations before undergoing surgery, with an eye toward being back on the field during the 2027 season. Johnson had a .651 OPS with 24 steals (in 30 attempts), eight home runs and 37 RBI across 401 plate appearances in Triple-A this season before the injury. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Rejoins big-league bullpen
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 1:39 PM
The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Dotel has made 14 appearances for the Pirates this season, collecting a 5.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 26.2 innings. He's taking the roster spot vacated by Yohan Ramirez (paternity) and could be sent back down in a few days when Ramirez returns. |
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Billy Cook Billy Cook Recalled from Triple-A
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 1:37 PM
The Pirates recalled Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Cook has produced a .200/.200/.267 slash line with 18 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances at the big-league level this season. He is likely slated for a reserve outfielder role. |
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Yohan Ramirez Yohan Ramirez Goes on paternity leave
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 1:36 PM
The Pirates placed Ramirez on the paternity leave list Friday.
Analysis: He will likely be away for the full weekend series against the Red Sox before rejoining the club early next week. Ramirez has given the Pirates quality work out of the bullpen this season, logging a 2.67 ERA and 79:38 K:BB over 67.1 frames. |
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Jhostynxon Garcia Jhostynxon Garcia Optioned to Triple-A
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 1:32 PM
The Pirates optioned Garcia to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Garcia had not started a game in more than a week and has gone just 8-for-48 at the plate during his time with the Pirates. He will try to get back on track with more regular playing time at Indianapolis. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Will not be activated this weekend
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 11:57 AM
Cruz (hand) will remain on his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona at least through the weekend, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The Pirates hadn't previously ruled out a return from the 60-day injured list for Cruz this weekend against the Red Sox, but they've opted to give him more time. Cruz has gone 2-for-13 with a 3:6 BB:K through his first four rehab games between Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. He has not yet started back-to-back games in center field, and the Pirates likely want him to check that box before being reinstated. Cruz has been shelved since mid-June with a fractured hand. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Strikes out 10 in complete game
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 6:39 PM
Ashcraft (12-5) earned the win in a complete game Thursday against the Marlins, allowing a run on three hits and a walk. He struck out 10.
Analysis: Ashcraft was dominant Thursday, as he held Miami scoreless for eight innings before Owen Caissie led off the ninth with a home run. It was an especially encouraging performance for the right-hander, who had stumbled to a 7.88 ERA across 24 innings in his previous five outings. Ashcraft's ERA now sits at 3.88 across 24 starts (141.1 innings) this season with a 1.11 WHIP and 155:33 K:BB. He's tentatively in line to face the Tigers at home his next time out. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Homers twice, drives in six
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 6:32 PM
Flores went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and six total RBI in Thursday's 13-1 win over Miami.
Analysis: Flores, making his second start in Pittsburgh's last five games, extended the Pirates' lead to 8-0 in the eighth inning with a three-run blast off John King before capping the scoring in the ninth with another three-run blast after Marlins' third baseman Javier Sanoja took over on the mound. Coming into the day, Flores had just one homer through his first 12 games this season while going 1-for-15 in his last eight contests. He'll primarily serve as Henry Davis' backup behind the plate while Endy Rodriguez (hip) is sidelined. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk Headed to Triple-A
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 11:09 AM
The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Sisk was scored upon in three of four appearances since coming off the injured list last week. Isaac Mattson was called up from Triple-A to take over Sisk's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen. |
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Isaac Mattson Isaac Mattson Rejoins big-league bullpen
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 11:06 AM
The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Mattson was sent down earlier this month after posting a 4.93 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 33:16 K:BB over 34.2 innings. He'll aim for more consistency with the Pirates this time around. |
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Jack Brannigan Jack Brannigan Recalled from Triple-A
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 11:04 AM
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Brannigan struck out in his lone plate appearance with the Pirates this season and has slashed only .205/.305/.352 during his time with Indianapolis. The 25-year-old should serve as a reserve infielder. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Placed on IL with hip injury
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 10:59 AM
The Pirates placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left hip inflammation.
Analysis: Rodriguez hasn't played in almost a week, and he was unable to show enough progress over that time to avoid a stint on the IL. He will be eligible to return late next week, but it's unclear whether Rodriguez might be ready for activation at that time. Henry Davis and Rafael Flores will handle the catching duties for the Pirates while Rodriguez is shelved. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Exiting starting nine
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 9:42 AM
Simon is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.
Analysis: Simon had made six consecutive starts and went 8-for-23 at the plate during that stretch, but he will exit the lineup for Thursday's series finale. Brandon Lowe will get a start at designated hitter for the Pirates, while Nick Gonzales shifts to second base and Jared Triolo grabs a start at third base. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Remains out Thursday
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 9:38 AM
Rodriguez (hip) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.
Analysis: Rodriguez hasn't played in nearly a week as he continues to battle left hip discomfort. The Pirates have been viewing the injury as a day-to-day situation, but the longer Rodriguez's absence drags on, the likelier a stint on the injured list becomes. Rafael Flores will start at catcher Thursday. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Battered for loss
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 10:59 PM
Mlodzinski (6-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings as the Marlins secured the 8-2 win. He struck out one.
Analysis: Mlodzinski has only pitched 5.1 innings and has given up nine runs in his first two starts since May 25. With Mitch Keller shut down for the rest of the season (arm), Mlodzinski has gotten the chance to start for the Pirates, but has suffered two losses with significant damage. Even with the rough appearances, the righty is scheduled to start agains next week versus the Tigers. |
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Khristian Curtis Khristian Curtis Removed from 7-day IL
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 5:00 PM
Curtis (side) was reinstated from Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list Wednesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Curtis has been sidelined by side discomfort since July 25, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to return to Triple-A. He made his major-league debut with the Pirates on July 18, when he operated in a bulk-relief role against the Guardians and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings. Curtis has a 5.84 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 24.2 innings in the minors this season but could see some major-league action over the final weeks of the regular season. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Another start on tap Wednesday
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:47 PM
Mlodzinski will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins in Miami.
Analysis: Mlodzinski rejoined the rotation last week after the Pirates shut Mitch Keller down for the season Aug. 3 due to a right arm teres major muscle injury. While making his first start since May 25 in last Friday's 6-4 loss to the Mets, Mlodzinski dropped to 6-4 on the season while yielding five earned runs on seven hits and one walk across three innings. He threw 63 pitches in that outing but should be able to push up into the 70-to-80 range Wednesday as he builds back up following his extended stay in the bullpen. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Handling regular role
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:36 PM
Simon will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis a week ago, the switch-hitting Simon appears to have taken hold of a spot in the Pirates' everyday lineup. He'll pick up his sixth consecutive start Wednesday after going 6-for-19 with a a double, a walk, a stolen base, three runs and two RBI. Simon could soon be in danger of a role reduction, however, as the Pirates appear likely to get center fielder Oneil Cruz (hand) back from the injured list either later this week or early next week. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Filling in for banged-up Rodriguez
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:28 PM
Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Davis will be making his fourth straight start behind the dish while Endy Rodriguez continues to miss time while nursing a hip injury. The Pirates are treating Rodriguez as day-to-day, and if Rodriguez is able to avoid a trip to the injured list and return to the lineup in the near future, Davis will likely see his playing time fall by the wayside. |
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