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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Slugs 12th homer
Sat, May 30, 2026, 9:03 AM
Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and two RBI on Friday against the Twins.
Analysis: Cruz drove in a run in the first inning and then blasted a solo home run in the third frame. He has 12 homers on the season, and two in his last six starts. Cruz has hit .333 with four RBI and three runs scored in that span, continuing his breakout campaign. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Swipes two bags in win
Sat, May 30, 2026, 8:39 AM
Griffin went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins.
Analysis: The 20-year-old rookie is up to 14 steals in 15 attempts through his first 50 big-league games. Griffin is more than holding his own at the plate as well, and through 24 contests in May he's slashing .301/.359/.452 with nine extra-base hits including two homers, nine RBI and 19 runs. |
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Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Slugs walk-off homer Friday
Sat, May 30, 2026, 8:37 AM
Reynolds went 1-for-3 with two walks, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins.
Analysis: The veteran outfielder didn't get much to hit earlier in the game, but he came through when it mattered most, launching a walk-off homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning against Taylor Rogers. Reynolds has hit safely in seven straight games, batting .500 (12-for-24) over that span with four doubles, two home runs, one steal, five RBI and seven runs. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Not sharp in return from IL
Sat, May 30, 2026, 8:30 AM
Jones didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Twins, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: Making his first big-league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of last year, Jones tossed 53 of 77 pitches for strikes but got hit hard when he was in the strike zone, serving up long balls to Kody Clemens in the first inning and Trevor Larnach in the third. The right-hander was headed for the loss until Bryan Reynolds walked it off with a homer of his own in the bottom of the ninth. Jones has plenty of upside, but he'll be a risky fantasy option while he shakes off the rust and works to regain his pre-injury form. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week in Houston. |
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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Not in Friday's lineup
Fri, May 29, 2026, 4:51 PM
Mangum is not in Pittsburgh's starting lineup against Minnesota on Friday.
Analysis: Mangum was out of the Pirates' lineup for three consecutive games before starting in right field against the Cubs on Thursday, when he went 1-for-4 and got caught stealing. Jhostynxon Garcia, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds will start in the outfield from left to right while Konnor Griffin (forearm) serves as the Pirates' designated hitter for Friday's series opener. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Sitting Friday
Fri, May 29, 2026, 4:48 PM
Davis is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Twins on Friday.
Analysis: Davis will get a breather Friday while Endy Rodriguez starts behind home plate and bats seventh while catching pitches from Jared Jones. Since May 1, Davis has gone 5-for-47 (.106) with four home runs, seven RBI, five walks and five runs scored. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Serving as DH vs. Minnesota
Fri, May 29, 2026, 4:42 PM
Griffin (forearm) is serving as the designated hitter and batting sixth against the Twins on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Griffin has not been cleared to throw due to a right forearm flexor strain but has been given the green light to hit. Marcell Ozuna will see a dip in playing time while Griffin gets rep at DH, and Jared Triolo will see more starts at shortstop as well. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Starting Friday vs. Minnesota
Fri, May 29, 2026, 4:40 PM
Gonzalez (knee) is starting at third base and batting out of the cleanup spot against the Twins on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Gonzalez was removed from Thursday's game against the Cubs due to left knee discomfort, but he's been cleared to play in the first game of the Pirates' weekend home series. He's struggled at the plate as of late, having gone 2-for-22 (.091) with one RBI, two runs and seven strikeouts over his last six games. |
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Joey Bart Joey Bart Cleared for light activities
Fri, May 29, 2026, 4:36 PM
Bart (foot) has been cleared to resume weight room activity and play light catch, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Per Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Bart is still "weeks away" from returning from the 10-day injured list, but the good news is that the 29-year-old catcher has progressed enough to take the next step in his recovery program. The Pirates should have a better sense of Bart's timeline to return as he continues to increase his baseball activities. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Cleared to hit, not throw
Fri, May 29, 2026, 4:28 PM
Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk told reporters Friday that Griffin is dealing with a muscle strain in his right forearm but has been cleared to serve as the team's designated hitter, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Griffin's forearm injury led to his absence from Thursday's lineup against the Cubs. The good news is that the injury isn't severe enough for the 20-year-old shortstop to go on the injured list, but he has not been cleared to throw and will be restricted to hitting duties. As a result, Jared Triolo should see more time at shortstop, and Marcell Ozuna could see less playing time if the Pirates opt to use Griffin as the DH. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Activated ahead of season debut
Fri, May 29, 2026, 1:32 PM
The Pirates activated Jones (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Jones is set to make his season debut for the Pirates on Friday just over one year after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow. The 24-year-old pitched well in five rehab starts, logging a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings. Jones threw 76 pitches in his last outing, so he should be capable of a workload of 85-90 pitches versus Minnesota. |
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Justin Lawrence Justin Lawrence DFA'd by Pittsburgh
Fri, May 29, 2026, 1:29 PM
Pittsburgh designated Lawrence for assignment Friday.
Analysis: Lawrence was knocked around in his last appearance for Pittsburgh on Wednesday, allowing a home run and two walks across 1.2 innings. Over 22 innings this season, the 31-year-old posted a 5.32 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB. Lawrence was DFA'd by Pittsburgh to make space for the return of Jared Jones (elbow) from the injured list. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Fans 10 but takes loss
Fri, May 29, 2026, 8:42 AM
Skenes (6-5) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Cubs after allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out 10.
Analysis: Skenes tossed 62 of his 103 pitches for strikes and struck out double-digit batters for the second time in his last four starts, but he was the victim of subpar defense once again. The star hurler has been struggling of late, as Skenes has taken the loss his last three starts -- a stretch in which he's posted a 5.87 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 15.1 innings, albeit with an elite 19:5 K:BB. Skenes will aim to bounce back in his next start, scheduled for next week on the road against the Astros. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Dealing with knee discomfort
Thu, May 28, 2026, 7:03 PM
Gonzales was removed from Thursday's contest against the Cubs due to left knee discomfort.
Analysis: Gonzales had a limp running out of the box in the second inning, and it is now understood to have been due to residual pain in his left knee from a ball he fouled off his leg in Wednesday's loss to Chicago. He is considered day-to-day for the time being, and Tyler Callihan has entered the contest, making his Pirates debut at third base in place of Gonzales. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Exits early Thursday
Thu, May 28, 2026, 6:38 PM
Gonzales (undisclosed) exited Thursday's contest against the Cubs in the fourth inning, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Gonzales was spotted limped out of the box on a fly out in the bottom of the second inning, and he was ultimately removed from the game a little over one inning later when the Pirates took the field defensively in the top of the fourth. Tyler Callihan replaced him at third base, batting seventh against Chicago. More information on the status of Gonzales will likely be provided in the near future. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Resting during series finale
Thu, May 28, 2026, 5:59 PM
Ozuna isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Ozuna will retreat to the bench Thursday after going just 2-for-13 with an RBI and six strikeouts through the first three games of the series. Bryan Reynolds will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter in Ozuna's stead, opening up left field for Jhostynxon Garcia. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Managing forearm issue
Thu, May 28, 2026, 5:27 PM
Griffin is dealing with soreness in his right forearm, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Griffin won't be in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, but he will be available off the bench, so it doesn't seem like his forearm issue is anything serious. Jared Triolo will pick up a start at shortstop while Griffin sits. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Demoted to Indianapolis
Thu, May 28, 2026, 5:21 PM
The Pirates optioned Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Valdez appeared in five games for the Pirates during his first career stint in the majors, going 2-for-16 with a pair of homers, five total RBI and nine strikeouts. Pittsburgh presumably wasn't satisfied with the 22-year-old's poor strikeout rate, so he'll return to Triple-A while the team brings up utility man Tyler Callihan to fill the open spot on the bench. |
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Tyler Callihan Tyler Callihan Recalled from Indy
Thu, May 28, 2026, 5:14 PM
The Pirates recalled Callihan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Callihan has spent the entire season at Indianapolis up to this point, slashing .223/.305/.346 with five home runs, 16 RBI, 30 runs scored and eight steals through 49 games. Although he hasn't been a very efficient producer at the plate, he'll give the Pirates value as a defender capable of covering all three bases as well as the corner outfield positions. Esmerlyn Valdez was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Shifted to bullpen
Thu, May 28, 2026, 2:29 PM
Pirates manager Don Kelly said Thursday that Mlodzinski has been moved to the bullpen, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Mlodzinski has held his own as a member of the Pirates' rotation this season, collecting a 3.76 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB over 55 innings. However, with the right-hander having significant relief experience and the Pirates needing bullpen help from the right side, it makes sense to shift Mlodzinski to a relief role to accommodate the return of Jared Jones (elbow). |
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