| News |
|---|
|
Bryan Reynolds Bryan Reynolds Another strong night
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 11:01 PM
Reynolds went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored Wednesday against the Giants.
Analysis: Reynolds produced only five RBI and 14 runs scored across 27 games in August, but he's turned in consecutive strong performances to begin the Pirates' current homestand. In those two contests, he's gone 3-for-10 with five runs scored and a double. Reynolds has scored 94 runs this season, setting a new career high. |
|
Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Yields three runs in no-decision
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:48 PM
Chandler allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Wednesday.
Analysis: Chandler put the Pirates on the back foot early after yielding a solo homer to Rafael Devers in the first inning. Chandler bounced back to retire the next six batters he faced before giving up another two runs in the fifth, but he received enough run support from his Pirates teammates to avoid the loss. The 23-year-old right-hander has allowed at least three earned runs in two of his last three outings and has a 4.30 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 136 innings this season, though his 71 walks are third-most in the majors behind Robbie Ray (73) and Joey Cantillo (72). Chandler is tentatively slated to start next week on the road against the White Sox. |
|
Lake Bachar Lake Bachar Opening Thursday
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:00 PM
Bachar will serve as the opening pitcher in Thursday's game against the Giants, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Analysis: Bachar will draw his eighth opening assignment of the season after giving up just two earned runs in 9.2 innings across his last five outings. He tossed 28 pitches in 2.1 frames during his most recent appearance Saturday and will likely have a similar workload Thursday before handing the game over to Carmen Mlodzinski. |
|
Jacob Gonzalez Jacob Gonzalez Exiting starting lineup
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 2:01 PM
Gonzalez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Giants.
Analysis: It's the first time in the second half that Gonzalez hasn't started at shortstop for the Pirates when the opposition had a righty on the bump. Jared Triolo will handle shortstop Wednesday as the Giants send righty Landen Roupp to the hill. |
|
Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Three hits in Tuesday's win
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:42 AM
Gonzales went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 13-12 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Getting a rare start at DH and hitting cleanup, Gonzales was one of five Pirates with multiple hits on the night. The 27-year-old infielder has been swinging a hot bat all season, and over his last 20 games he's slashing .333/.435/.403 with five doubles, two steals, six runs and eight RBI. Gonzales still doesn't offer much power, however -- his homer drought stands at 33 games, and he has just six long balls in 536 plate appearances on the year. |
|
Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Pockets sixth win
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:38 AM
Montgomery (6-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's wild 13-12 victory over the Giants, giving up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
Analysis: The flame-throwing southpaw hit Turner Hill with a 98.9-mph sinker to lead off the ninth with the score tied 12-12, but Montgomery was able to erase him on a double-play grounder by Rafael Devers -- a timely escape considering the next two batters got hits. Montgomery extended his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings with the performance, a stretch in which he's converted all five of his save chances and picked up three wins over 15 appearances with a 0.63 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB. |
|
Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Drives in four runs in wild win
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:33 AM
Cruz went 4-for-6 with a run scored and four RBI in Tuesday's 13-12 win over the Giants.
Analysis: All four knocks were singles, but it was still a very productive night for Cruz, who got three of his RBI on two third-inning singles in a frame that saw the Pirates send 15 batters to the plate. The 27-year-old has racked up nine hits in his last four games, and since returning from a fractured hand in mid-August, Cruz has produced a .311/.392/.578 slash line over 12 contests with three homers, three steals, eight runs and 12 RBI. |
|
Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Launches 29th homer
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:29 AM
Lowe went 4-for-6 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Tuesday's wild 13-12 win over the Giants.
Analysis: In a contest that saw Pittsburgh score nine runs in the third inning without getting an extra-base hit before walking it off in the ninth on a throwing error, Lowe supplied one of the few actual offensive highlights when he took Cesar Perdomo deep in the seventh inning. The four hits tied Lowe's career high, while the long ball was his 29th of the season, leaving him on the brink of his third career 30-homer campaign. Over his last 10 games, the veteran second baseman has produced a .306/.419/.611 slash line with two doubles, three home runs, four RBI and 10 runs. |
|
Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Stumbles against Giants
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:23 AM
Skenes didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's wild 13-12 win over the Giants, coughing up five runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis: An anticipated pitchers' duel between Skenes and Logan Webb never materialized, as the San Francisco ace got chased from the game in the third inning, while his Pittsburgh counterpart couldn't escape the fifth. Skenes has been able to complete six frames just once in his last seven starts, limping to a 5.77 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB through 34.1 innings over that stretch with an 0-3 record. He'll try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Angels. |
|
Jose Herrera Jose Herrera Catches on with Pirates
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 9:08 AM
The Pirates signed Herrera to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Herrera will supplement the Pirates' organizational catching depth in the final month. He had been at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization, where he put up a .665 OPS in 40 contests. |
|
Christian Bethancourt Christian Bethancourt Added to MLB roster
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 12:59 PM
The Pirates selected Bethancourt's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: The veteran backstop was acquired from the Yankees for cash in mid-August and will now get his first look in the majors with Pittsburgh. Bethancourt last appeared in the majors in 2024 and had a .209/.241/.367 slash line in 62 regular-season games with the Marlins and Cubs. He isn't likely to see much playing time as the club's No. 3 catcher behind Rafael Flores and Henry Davis. |
|
Endy Rodriguez Endy Rodriguez Shifted to 60-day injured list
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 12:58 PM
The Pirates transferred Rodriguez (hip) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Christian Bethancourt. Rodriguez underwent season-ending surgery last week to repair the labrum in his left hip. |
|
Brandon Eisert Brandon Eisert Recalled from Indianapolis
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 12:56 PM
The Pirates recalled Eisert from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Analysis: Eisert will give manager Don Kelly another lefty for the bullpen. The 28-year-old has posted a 6.29 ERA in 34.1 major-league innings this season, but a 40:12 K:BB is more promising. |
|
Robert Hassell III Robert Hassell III Makes return from 7-day IL
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 8:17 PM
Hassell (undisclosed) has gone 5-for-14 with two doubles, one walk, two stolen bases, three RBI and three runs in four games for Triple-A Indianapolis since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: The 25-year-old outfielder has spent time at three levels since joining the Pirates organization in a July 16 trade, slashing .256/.373/.326 with three stolen bases over 12 contests. |
|
Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Moving rehab assignment to Triple-A
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 12:57 PM
The Pirates will transfer Griffin's (finger) rehab assignment from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis beginning Tuesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: On the shelf since July 6 due to a torn sagittal band on his left ring finger, Griffin is closing in on a return to the Pirates' active roster after he kicked off his rehab assignment over the weekend. In his lone game with Altoona on Sunday, Griffin went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts while playing seven innings at shortstop. The star rookie checked out fine after being evaluated by team trainers Monday and will now get a few more games under his belt at Indianapolis before likely coming off the 60-day injured list when first eligible Friday. |
|
Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Set to be evaluated Monday
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 7:32 PM
Griffin (finger) went 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in a minor-league rehab contest with Double-A Altoona on Sunday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Griffin was making the first appearance of his minor-league rehab assignment after missing over a month and a half with a torn tendon in his left ring finger. The 20-year-old will be in Pittsburgh on Monday for further evaluation, and the team is expected to determine the next steps in his recovery thereafter. Griffin is eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, and he might be on track to return that day. |
|
Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Pair of steals in win
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:41 PM
Cruz went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Cruz went 5-for-13 during the three-game weekend series versus St. Louis. The outfielder was able to make an impact with speed in this contest, picking up his first steals since Aug. 19. For the season, he's 24-for-28 on the basepaths. Cruz is batting .263 with an .835 OPS, 17 home runs, 52 RBI, 52 runs scored, 11 doubles and one triple over 75 contests this year, and he's hit .256 (10-for-39) since returning from a fractured hand. |
|
Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Lifts solo shot
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:37 PM
Triolo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Triolo ends August on a six-game hitting streak, though his homer Sunday was his first extra-base hit since Aug. 13. The utility man had just one RBI during his power drought as well. Triolo is batting .247 with a .639 OPS, three homers, 26 RBI, 30 runs scored, 12 doubles and 10 stolen bases over 101 contests this season. He's typically more of a short-side platoon option, but the Pirates have faced five left-handers over the last eight games, giving Triolo a decent run of playing time that he's taken full advantage of to potentially earn a larger role. |
|
Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Homers in Sunday's win
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:34 PM
Valdez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Valdez had gone just 4-for-29 (.138) with a 4:17 BB:K over his last eight games. He has homered twice over his last four contests, but his overall consistency at the plate is still a work in progress. The outfielder is batting .244 with an .890 OPS, 16 homers, 44 RBI, 37 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 65 games this season, though his 37.5 percent strikeout rate is a major limiting factor. |
|
Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Clean inning for save
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:31 PM
Montgomery pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Montgomery retired the side on 11 pitches (seven strikes) to earn his seventh save overall and fifth in August. He ends the month riding a 13.1-inning scoreless streak dating back to July 27, and he looks to have a decent amount of security in the closer role for now. Montgomery is at a 3.07 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 89:22 K:BB through 55.2 innings this season. |
Connect With Us:
