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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Nursing hip injury
Mon, Jul 6, 2026, 3:21 PM
Pirates manager Don Kelly said that Rodriguez was removed from Sunday's 11-5 win over the Nationals due to a left hip injury, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Rodriguez singled in the top of the eighth inning before being lifted for a pinch runner. He missed a bit of time in mid-June with left hip discomfort, so Rodriguez could be dealing with an aggravation of that injury. The Pirates are idle Monday but could offer more clarity on Rodriguez's status before Tuesday's series opener against Atlanta. If Rodriguez needs to miss additional time, Henry Davis would be due for an uptick in playing time behind the plate. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Another rehab outing awaits
Mon, Jul 6, 2026, 8:28 AM
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Dotel (lat) will make another rehab appearance with a minor-league affiliate Tuesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Dotel tossed a scoreless frame for Double-A Altoona during the first appearance of his rehab assignment June 27, but he hasn't pitched since. The right-hander doesn't appear to have suffered a setback in his recovery from a lat strain, as the Pirates opted to have him throw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Friday, per MLB.com. Dotel will now head back to the minors Tuesday for what could be a final tune-up outing before he returns from the 15-day injured list. |
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Spencer Horwitz Spencer Horwitz On track to return by end of July
Mon, Jul 6, 2026, 8:24 AM
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Horwitz (hamstring) is progressing well and will hopefully return from the 10-day injured list at some point shortly after the All-Star break, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Horwitz landed on the IL on June 25 after suffering a left hamstring strain but already seems to be making positive strides in his recovery process, as he recently reported to the Pirates' facility in Florida to begin his rehab program. Cherington suggested that Horwitz is unlikely to be activated when the Pirates open their second-half schedule July 17 in Cleveland, but the 28-year-old first baseman may be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment around that time. If that's the case, Horwitz could be on track to return from the IL before the end of July. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Still trending toward July return
Mon, Jul 6, 2026, 8:19 AM
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Cruz (hand) is progressing well and will hopefully return from the 10-day injured list at some point shortly after the All-Star break, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: After shedding the cast on his fractured left hand, Cruz reported to the Pirates' facility in Florida last week to resume baseball activities. He looks poised to remain in Florida through at least the upcoming week to continue the ramp-up process, and if all goes well, Cruz could be ready for a rehab assignment once minor-league games resume following the All-Star break. The Pirates remain optimistic that Cruz will be ready to come off the IL before the end of July. |
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Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Homers in win
Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 3:59 PM
Reynolds went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 11-5 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: Reynolds extended Pittsburgh's lead to 4-0 in the third inning with a 399-foot shot off Cade Cavalli, his 13th homer this season and his seventh in his last 25 games -- he's gone 33-for-101 (.327) in that span. It's been a strong season at the plate overall for Reynolds, who's now slashing .282/.393/.474 with 56 RBI, 62 runs scored and six stolen bases across 397 plate appearances. |
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Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Goes four innings vs. Nats
Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 3:42 PM
Chandler did not factor into the decision in an 11-5 win over the Nationals on Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks without recording a strikeout over four innings.
Analysis: Chandler needed 86 pitches, just 47 of which were strikes, to get through four innings. The 23-year-old right-hander has now given up nine runs over 10.1 innings in his last two starts after posting a 2.82 ERA across 22.1 frames in his prior four outings. Overall, Chandler is 3-8 with a 4.82 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 79:52 K:BB across 89.2 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track his next time out, currently scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Brewers. |
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Davis Wendzel Davis Wendzel Booted from 40-man roster
Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 12:29 PM
The Pirates designated Wendzel for assignment Sunday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: He'll give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Noah Murdock, who exercised an upward-mobility clause in his minor-league contract. Wendzel, 29, appeared in two games for the Pirates back in June but has otherwise spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Indianapolis, with whom he's produced a .230/.349/.461 slash line and 10 home runs across 261 plate appearances. |
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Noah Murdock Noah Murdock Joins 40-man roster
Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 12:26 PM
The Pirates selected Murdock's contract and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Murdock will be added to the 40-man roster after he exercised an upward-mobility clause in his minor-league contract that would have allowed him to test free agency had the Pirates not cleared a spot for him. The 27-year-old pitched at Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona to begin the season before moving up to Triple-A in early June. Over the past month, Murdock has submitted a 4.26 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 12.2 innings out of the Indianapolis bullpen. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Knocks in two
Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 9:19 AM
Lowe went 1-for-5 with two RBI on Saturday against the Nationals.
Analysis: Lowe made his lone hit of the day count, knocking in two in the second frame with a single. He's hit only .220 while striking out at a 29.0 percent clip over the last month, though he's still managed to record 20 RBI, 15 runs scored and five home runs across 27 games in that span. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Swipes home in Saturday's win
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 6:16 PM
Griffin went 1-for-5 with a run scored and two stolen bases in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: The rookie shortstop got the Pirates on the board in the top of the first inning by singling, stealing second, advancing to third on a Bryan Reynolds knock and then scampering home as part of a successful double steal. Griffin's been very busy on the basepaths of late, going 5-for-5 on steal attempts over his last five games. On the season, the 20-year-old phenom sports a .271/.326/.403 slash line with five homers, 19 stolen bases, 23 RBI and 34 runs in his first 58 big-league games. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Dominant in ninth win
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 6:11 PM
Ashcraft (9-3) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 7-1 victory over the Nationals. He struck out seven.
Analysis: James Wood led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot on Ashcraft's first pitch, but the right-hander shut the door from there and came one out short of his 11th quality start of the season. It was an impressive bounce-back performance after he'd been tagged for three homers and five runs in his previous outing, but despite that damage to his ratios Ashcraft has won four straight starts. He'll take a 3.24 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 122:25 K:BB through 108.1 innings into his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Brewers. |
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Hunter Stratton Hunter Stratton Summoned to majors
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 8:24 AM
Stratton was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Stratton has struck out seven over 5.1 scoreless innings at Triple-A since the Pirates acquired him from Atlanta on June 18. Evan Sisk (elbow inflammation) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. |
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Evan Sisk Evan Sisk To IL with elbow issue
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 8:21 AM
Sisk was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left elbow inflammation, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The 29-year-old southpaw has a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 36.1 innings out of the Pirates' bullpen this year. Hunter Stratton was recalled from Triple-A to take Sisk's place in the bullpen. |
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Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Not in Saturday's lineup
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 8:10 AM
Rodriguez is out of the lineup Saturday against the Nationals.
Analysis: Rodriguez is hitting .273 with two home runs and a 10:5 K:BB in his last 10 games. Henry Davis will start behind the dish and bat ninth. |
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Jake Mangum Jake Mangum Swipes two bags in loss
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 6:28 AM
Mangum went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: The 30-year-old continues to produce as the Pirates' regular center fielder while Oneil Cruz (hand) is on the IL. Mangum has delivered multiple hits in three straight games, and over 21 contests since Cruz went down he's slashing .358/.388/.432 with six doubles, five steals, five RBI and 10 runs. Cruz isn't expected back until the latter part of July after the All-Star break, so Mangum has at least another week-plus to play regularly. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Stays hot in Friday's loss
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 6:22 AM
Valdez went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: The rookie outfielder extended his hitting streak to eight games with the performance, a stretch in which Valdez is batting a blistering .552 (16-for-29) with eight extra-base hits (three doubles, a triple and four homers), nine runs and 10 RBI. His current playing time in right field is coming while Oneil Cruz (hand) and Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) are on the shelf, but it's going to be hard for manager Derek Shelton to sit Valdez down if he's still raking when the Pirates' roster gets healthier. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Hammered by Nats
Sat, Jul 4, 2026, 6:18 AM
Keller (6-6) took the loss Friday, giving up five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- over six innings as the Pirates were downed 9-5 by the Nationals. He struck out one without walking a batter.
Analysis: Washington launched five homers in total off Pittsburgh pitching, with Keller taking the brunt of the damage. It's the first time since last August the veteran right-hander has served up three long balls in a game, and that outing came at Coors Field. Over six starts since the beginning of June, Keller has stumbled to a 6.47 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB over 32 innings while getting taken deep eight times, after he allowed just four homers in his first 12 starts of 2026. He'll try to get back on track in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against Atlanta. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Three more hits, homer in win
Thu, Jul 2, 2026, 3:08 PM
Gonzales went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: Gonzales extended Pittsburgh's lead to 3-1 with a two-out, RBI single in the seventh inning before capping the scoring in the ninth with a home run off Kyle Backhus, his fourth homer this season. It's the second straight three-hit game for Gonzales, who's gone 19-for-51 (.372) in his last 14 contests. Overall, he's slashing .305/.360/.387 with 38 RBI, 46 runs scored and four stolen bases across 333 plate appearances this season. |
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Jared Jones Jared Jones Goes four innings vs. Phillies
Thu, Jul 2, 2026, 3:04 PM
Jones did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Phillies, allowing a run on two hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: Jones threw 73 pitches as he continues to build up his workload after missing the majority of the 2025 campaign following UCL surgery. It was an encouraging outing overall for Jones, who had given up 12 runs (11 earned) across 15.2 innings in his previous four starts. The 24-year-old right-hander will carry a 5.28 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB into his next start, currently scheduled to come next week at home against Atlanta. |
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Tyler Callihan Tyler Callihan Moving to bench Thursday
Thu, Jul 2, 2026, 10:01 AM
Callihan is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.
Analysis: Callihan will head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Pirates make room in the lineup for Marcell Ozuna, who will serve as the club's designated hitter and No. 7 batter. After getting his time with Pittsburgh off to an excellent start upon being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in late May, Callihan has cooled down considerably. Over his last 12 games, Callihan is slashing .143/.194/.321 with a 45.2 percent strikeout rate. |
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