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Henry Davis Henry Davis Resting Thursday
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 4:58 PM
Davis is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Rangers.
Analysis: Davis went 0-for-5 with a walk across the first two games of the series against the Rangers, but he will get a routine breather for the final game of the series. Joey Bart has the start behind the plate Thursday and is batting ninth. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Picks up win in relief
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 9:01 AM
Soto (1-0) earned the win in relief Wednesday against the Rangers despite allowing two runs on three hits over an inning while striking out three.
Analysis: Soto entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when the Pirates had a 4-2 lead, but he surrendered that advantage after allowing a two-RBI single to Jake Burger, scoring Andrew McCutchen and Brandon Nimmo. However, the Pirates responded with four runs in the top of the ninth -- headlined by a three-run homer from Oneil Cruz -- which allowed Soto to walk away with the win. That said, this was far from his finest outing. It also ended a streak of seven scoreless appearances for the veteran, who nonetheless should continue to have an important role in the Pirates' bullpen going forward. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Strong showing in no-decision
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 8:57 AM
Ashcroft didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after tossing seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five.
Analysis: Had Ashcraft received a little more support from an offense that woke up to score four runs in the top of the ninth inning, he could've easily earned the win after a solid outing. Ashcraft continued his strong start to the campaign with a fifth straight start in which he allowed two or fewer earned runs, and he's pitched at least six innings three times in that stretch. The right-hander will take his 2.43 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 29.2 innings into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Returning to action Wednesday
Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 5:10 PM
Horwitz (neck) is in Pittsburgh's starting lineup against Texas on Wednesday.
Analysis: Horwitz was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to neck discomfort, but he has been cleared to return for Wednesday's bout. The 28-year-old first baseman is slashing .255/.382/.400 with two home runs and five RBI over 68 plate appearances this season. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Back in lineup Wednesday
Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 5:07 PM
Lowe (knee) is starting at second base and batting second in Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Lowe was held out of Tuesday's lineup while managing left knee discomfort, but the veteran has been given the green light to return for Wednesday's contest. He is slashing .267/.375/.600 with seven home runs, 18 RBI and 12 runs scored over 88 plate appearances this season. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Drives in team's lone run
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 10:04 PM
O'Hearn went 1-for-4 with an RBI single during the Pirates' 5-1 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday.
Analysis: O'Hearn was responsible for the Pirates' lone run scored Tuesday, when his single to center field brought home Oneil Cruz. O'Hearn is up to 16 RBI on the season, which is third most on the team behind Cruz (19) and Brandon Lowe (18). O'Hearn is also sporting a .324 batting average (over 88 plate appearances), which is tied with Liam Hicks for sixth best in the majors. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Collects 10th steal
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 10:01 PM
Cruz went 1-for-4 with a steal and a run scored during the Pirates' 5-1 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Cruz showed off his speed early by stealing second base in the first inning, and after moving to third on a Danny Jansen throwing error, the former was brought home by an Ryan O'Hearn single to center field. Cruz is up to 10 steals (on 11 attempts) this season, which is tied with Nasim Nunez for second most in the majors behind Jose Ramirez (11). Cruz is off to a strong start to the 2026 season with a .897 OPS with six home runs and 19 RBI over 103 plate appearances. |
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Carmen Mlodzinski Carmen Mlodzinski Yields five runs in Tuesday's loss
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 9:56 PM
Mlodzinski (1-1) took the loss against the Rangers on Tuesday. He allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six across 4.1 innings.
Analysis: Mlodzinski worked in a long-relief role in his last outing Wednesday against the Nationals behind opener Mason Montgomery, but the former was on the mound from the get-go in Tuesday's contest. He appeared to settle in after giving up two runs in the second inning, but Mlodzinski was unable to escape the fifth, giving up three runs in the frame while recording just one out. It was the first time this season that he gave up more than two runs in a game, and through five outings this season, he sits at a 3.28 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Mlodzinski will look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for this weekend on the road against the Brewers. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz Scratched with neck discomfort
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 6:32 PM
Horwitz was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers due to neck discomfort.
Analysis: Horwitz will take a seat to give his neck a chance to recover and can be considered day-to-day for now. Ryan O'Hearn will move to first base to cover for Horwitz, opening up right field for Jake Mangum. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Managing knee issue
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 5:07 PM
Lowe is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers due to left knee discomfort, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Lowe presumably sustained the injury over the weekend against the Rays and is not starting for a second consecutive game. Manager Don Kelly downplayed the issue and indicated the second baseman could be available off the bench Tuesday. |
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Jhostynxon Garcia Jhostynxon Garcia Shelved at Triple-A
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 7:00 PM
Triple-A Indianapolis placed Garcia on its 7-day injured list Friday due to lower-back tightness, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: After failing to win a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, Garcia slashed just .158/.186/.175 with a 28.8 percent strikeout rate over 59 plate appearances for Indianapolis before being shut down with the back issue. He lacks a clear timeline to return to action for the Triple-A club, but his injury isn't believed to be overly significant. |
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Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Heats up with three RBI
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 4:40 PM
Reynolds went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Rays.
Analysis: It was Reynolds' fourth multi-RBI effort of the season already. The corner outfielder entered Sunday in a brief 0-for-13 dry spell over his past four appearances, so it was a breakout performance of sorts as well. Reynolds is off to a fine start overall in 2026, slashing a healthy .266/.392/.418 with five extra-base hits, 15 RBI, 15 runs scored and 16 walks through his first 97 plate appearances. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Seven strong innings in second win
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 4:25 PM
Keller (2-1) notched the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: It was perhaps a season-best performance by the right-hander, who recorded season-high figures in innings and strikeouts. Keller has done a fine job of providing length for the Pirates so far in 2026, tossing at least six innings in four of his five starts. He'll bring a strong 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB over his first 29 frames into his next outing, which is currently projected to come against the division-rival Brewers. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Resting for series finale
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 11:30 AM
O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting O'Hearn hasn't been a strict platoon player for the Pirates this season, but after he played eight of 13 innings in Saturday's 8-7 loss, he'll get a breather for Sunday's matinee game while southpaw Shane McClanahan toes the rubber for the Rays. Jake Mangum will pick up a start in the outfield in O'Hearn's stead. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Taking seat in series finale
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 11:26 AM
Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: With the Rays sending a lefty (Shane McClanahan) to the bump and the teams playing a day game after Saturday's 13-inning affair, Lowe will exit the starting nine for just the third time this season. Nick Gonzales will replace Lowe at the keystone and will bat second. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Back on bench Sunday
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 11:23 AM
Davis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Analysis: Davis had started behind the plate in five of the last eight contests but went just 2-for-16 with five strikeouts against two walks over that stretch. He'll hit the bench Sunday in favor of Joey Bart, and the two backstops look as though they could be stuck in a timeshare until one of them is able to get going at the plate. |
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Cam Sanders Cam Sanders Quick return to minors
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 10:51 AM
The Pirates optioned Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The right-hander was called up from Triple-A on Friday and made his season debut Saturday against the Rays, but he'll head back to the minors after surrendering to four runs over two-thirds of an inning. Wilber Dotel will take Sanders' place in Pittsburgh's bullpen. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Gets first call to big leagues
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 10:48 AM
The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The 23-year-old has surrendered 10 earned runs with a 13:7 K:BB over 14.1 innings to begin the season with Indianapolis, but he'll get his first opportunity in the major leagues anyway. Dotel was working out of the rotation at Triple-A but will shift to the bullpen to provide some depth for the Pirates after Saturday's 13-inning loss to the Rays. |
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Marcell Ozuna Marcell Ozuna Homers again Saturday
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 10:09 PM
Ozuna went 2-for-6 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Rays.
Analysis: After batting an abysmal .051 through the Pirates' first 14 games, Ozuna now has hit safely in six straight appearances and has two homers over the last three contests after producing just one extra-base hit prior to Thursday. The 35-year-old might be finding his swing and has boosted his slash line to .185/.254/.292 with two homers, seven RBI, six runs scored and a 6:16 BB:K across 71 plate appearances. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Smacks two-run homer Saturday
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 10:05 PM
O'Hearn went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, walk and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Rays.
Analysis: After Bryan Reynolds walked ahead of him, O'Hearn got the scoring started with a two-run homer off Drew Rasmussen in the bottom of the first inning, snapping an 11-game homer-less drought for O'Hearn. He later walked and scored on Marcell Ozuna's two-run shot in the fourth. O'Hearn is now slashing .329/.417/.543 with four long balls, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, one stolen base and an 11:14 BB:K across 84 plate appearances. |
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