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Dennis Santana Dennis Santana Works eighth inning again
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 10:43 PM
Santana struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Friday against the Orioles.
Analysis: Santana entered the game in the eighth inning for his second consecutive appearance, with Gregory Soto following him in the final frame on each occasion. While Santana is still in a high-leverage role and has performed well to begin 2026 -- he hasn't allowed a run across five innings while allowing only three baseunners -- it appears that Soto may be the preferred option for saves for the time being. |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo First multi-hit effort of 2026
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 10:37 PM
Triolo went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored Friday against the Orioles.
Analysis: Triolo remained in the lineup despite Konnor Griffin's arrival, though he shifted to third base while hitting eighth in the order. Triolo has struggled with the bat in the early going, with Friday marking his first multi-hit effort of the season. He delivered an RBI single in the second inning and came around to score in the same frame. While Triolo was in the lineup over Nick Gonzales on Friday, the duo will likely split time in some fashion for the foreseeable future. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin RBI double in major-league debut
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 9:23 PM
Griffin went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and a walk in Friday's 5-4 win over the Orioles.
Analysis: Making his much-anticipated major-league debut Friday, Griffin hit seventh in the Pittsburgh lineup and doubled home Ryan O'Hearn in his first big-league plate appearance. In his second trip to the plate, Griffin drew a five-pitch walk. Griffin later struck out and grounded out to close out his day. The shortstop doesn't turn 20 years old until later this month. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Picks up first save of season
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 9:18 PM
Soto picked up the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts in one inning.
Analysis: It was Soto's fifth appearance of the young season, but it was the left-hander's first save of 2026 after he pitched clean ninth innings Tuesday and Wednesday against the Reds in 8-3 victories earlier in the week. Soto struck out the side against the Orioles on Friday but did allow a solo home run to Gunnar Henderson with two outs. Soto looks to be manager Don Kelly's preferred closer option. Soto has a sterling 11:2 K:BB across 5.1 innings of work. |
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Mitch Keller Mitch Keller Picks up win over Baltimore
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 9:12 PM
Keller (1-0) earned the win over the Orioles on Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts across six innings.
Analysis: Keller has logged back-to-back quality starts to open the season and will carry a 1.50 ERA into his next start Wednesday against the Padres. The right-hander has thrown at least 175 innings with at least 150 strikeouts in three straight seasons coming into the 2026 campaign. He's not an exciting fantasy proposition, but Keller is durable and reliable. |
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Enmanuel Valdez Enmanuel Valdez Booted from 40-man roster
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 10:33 AM
The Pirates designated Valdez for assignment Friday.
Analysis: The club needed to free up a spot on its 40-man roster for the addition of Konnor Griffin. Valdez has managed just a .230/.288/.392 batting line over parts of three major-league seasons. |
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Billy Cook Billy Cook Dispatched to Indianapolis
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 4:39 PM
The Pirates optioned Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: Cook will move to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for top prospect Konnor Griffin, who is slated to make his MLB debut against the Orioles on Friday. The 27-year-old Cook slashed .245/.321/.379 across 380 plate appearances at Indianapolis last year, and he'd be a candidate to return to Pittsburgh if one of the big club's outfielders go down with an injury. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Homers again Wednesday
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:44 PM
Cruz went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: The center fielder got things rolling for the Pirates when he hooked an Andrew Abbott curveball 407 feet down the right-field line in the first inning. Cruz has three homers in six games to begin the season, and all three have come in the last two days. He's batting .304 (7-for-23) with six RBI and seven runs, though he's still looking for his first steal of 2026. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Misses out on save again
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:41 PM
Soto struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during the Pirates' 8-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: For the second straight day, Soto was warming up to handle a save situation in the bottom of the ninth, only for Pittsburgh's offense to churn out insurance runs in the top of the frame and erase the save chance. The veteran southpaw has a 0.00 ERA through 4.1 innings to begin the season with an 8:2 K:BB, and he currently appears to be the favorite for save chances ahead of Dennis Santana. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Bounces back with first win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:37 PM
Skenes (1-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-3 victory over the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: After a stunningly short Opening Day start, Skenes rebounded nicely Wednesday, tossing 51 of 77 pitches for strikes and only allowing a runner to get past first base in the fourth inning. It was an early hook for the right-hander despite the efficient performance, but the Pirates are likely just being cautious with his early season workload. The 23-year-old still has a 9.53 ERA and 6:4 K:BB through 5.2 innings, but those numbers should continue to improve quickly. Skenes is set to take the mound next at home early next week against the Padres. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Absent from Wednesday's lineup
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 9:45 AM
O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Cincinnati.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting O'Hearn was in the lineup the first two times the Pirates faced a lefty this season, but he'll take a seat in Wednesday's series finale as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the hill. Jake Mangum will cover right field and Spencer Horwitz will handle first base for the Pirates. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Taking seat Wednesday
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 9:41 AM
Lowe is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati.
Analysis: Lowe had started each of the first five games of the season -- including two versus left-handers -- but the lefty bat will take a seat Wednesday as the Reds send southpaw Andrew Abbott to the bump. Nick Gonzales will cover second base for the Pirates. |
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Gregory Soto Gregory Soto Works ninth in Tuesday's win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:25 AM
Soto allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds. He struck out one.
Analysis: The veteran lefty was getting ready to handle a save situation when Oneil Cruz added some insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth. Soto has a 0.00 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 3.1 innings to begin the season, while presumed closer Dennis Santana -- who worked a scoreless eighth against the bottom of the Reds' order to record his first hold of the year -- also has a 0.00 ERA in four innings, albeit with a less dominant 2:2 K:BB. Neither pitcher has a save yet in 2026, but the scales seem to be tipping in Soto's favor as the top high-leverage option in the Pirates' bullpen. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Goes yard twice in win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:20 AM
Cruz went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a third run scored in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
Analysis: The 27-year-old center fielder crushed a Brandon Williamson cutter an estimated 444 feet to lead off the fourth inning, before adding a two-run blast in the ninth off Pierce Johnson. They were Cruz's first homers and RBI of the season, and while he's batting .278 through five games, he's also struck out nine times in his first 19 plate appearances of 2026. |
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Bubba Chandler Bubba Chandler Allows no hits in no-decision
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:14 AM
Chandler didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds, giving up an unearned run over 4.1 no-hit innings. He walked six and struck out six.
Analysis: While the right-hander managed to find strikes with only 43 of his 81 pitches, Chandler was routinely hitting triple digits with his fastball and Cincy batters couldn't get good wood on the ball when he was in the strike zone. Until he tightens up his control, however, Chandler will be tough to rely upon in fantasy lineups. The 23-year-old lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Padres. |
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Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz Gets start against lefty
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:54 PM
Cruz will start in center field and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the Reds.
Analysis: It's the first start for Cruz against a left-handed pitcher since Aug. 2 of last season, as he was out of the lineup the final 12 times the Pirates faced a lefty last year and the first time they went up against a southpaw in 2026. The left-handed-hitting Cruz is a career .174/.249/.315 hitter against southpaws. |
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Henry Davis Henry Davis Not starting Tuesday's game
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:49 PM
Davis is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Reds.
Analysis: Davis has started all three games versus right-handers but will yield to Joey Bart at catcher for the second time in two games against lefties. The former No. 1 overall pick is 2-for-11 with a 2:3 BB:K in the early going this season for Pittsburgh. |
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Jared Triolo Jared Triolo Grabbing seat Tuesday
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:43 PM
Triolo is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Cincinnati.
Analysis: Triolo batted leadoff the other time the Pirates faced a lefty, but he will begin this one on the bench. Nick Gonzales is at shortstop and Nick Yorke is handling third base for Pittsburgh against southpaw Brandon Williamson. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Six strong innings Monday
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 10:05 PM
Ashcraft (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: The right-hander was saddled with a tough-luck loss, logging a quality start in his season debut. The four walks allowed matched a career high for Ashcraft, but it was still a fine showing overall at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Ashcraft's next start is scheduled to come over the weekend at home versus the Orioles, and he'll be trying to reach the 90-pitch mark after tossing 87 pitches Monday. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Healthy at Triple-A Indianapolis
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 5:32 PM
Simon (shoulder) has reached base six times and stolen a base in his first two games with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Analysis: Simon was slow-played during spring training after having left shoulder surgery last October, but he avoided the minor-league injured list. Slated to turn 26 in April, Simon is not on the 40-man roster but could get a look at some point if the Pirates are in need of a utility player. |
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