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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe On bench vs. lefty
Sun, Sep 13, 2026, 1:14 PM
Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: The 32-year-old will hit the bench Sunday as Pittsburgh rolls out a righty-heavy lineup versus Chicago southpaw Matthew Boyd. Lowe has a .608 OPS in 190 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season, and he could see more limited opportunities against them down the stretch given that he's now sat in three of the Pirates' past six games versus lefty starters. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Slugs homer in loss
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 6:20 PM
O'Hearn went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Saturday in a loss to the Cubs.
Analysis: O'Hearn's long ball was huge at the time, as it turned a two-run deficit into a one-run lead. However, the Pirates' bullpen couldn't hold the advantage, and two Chicago runs in the eighth inning led to a Cubs win. O'Hearn just returned from a six-week stay on the injured list Friday and went 0-for-2 in his first game back after entering late in the contest. He's expected to see action at first base and as the DH for Pittsburgh down the stretch. |
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Paul Skenes Paul Skenes Sharp despite yielding two homers
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 6:08 PM
Skenes completed seven innings Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters in a no-decision against the Cubs.
Analysis: Skenes struggled a bit early, giving up a solo homer in both of the first and third innings. However, those were the only hits he allowed during those frames, and the All-Star hurler finished his outing with four straight scoreless innings. Overall, Skenes allowed only six baserunners and was very efficient, needing just 82 pitches (53 strikes) to complete seven innings. He was in line for the win upon his departure, but a late letdown by the Pirates' bullpen spoiled that bid. Though Skenes again didn't do much in the strikeout department, this was a strong performance against a tough offense after he gave up five runs over 5.1 frames the last time he faced the Cubs. Skenes will carry a disappointing 3.78 overall ERA into his next start, which is projected to be at home against Milwaukee. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Back with Pirates
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 12:24 PM
The Pirates recalled Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.
Analysis: Simon was sent down to Triple-A on Friday following Ryan O'Hearn's return from the injured list, but the former will turn around and rejoin the big club with Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) landing on the IL. Simon logged just one plate appearance during his previous week-long stint with the Bucs and will likely continue to serve as bench depth until Valdez is healthy. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Lands on IL
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 12:20 PM
The Pirates placed Valdez on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left hamstring.
Analysis: Valdez made an early exit from Friday's contest after injuring himself while running out of the batter's box, and he'll now officially remain out of action until at least Sept. 23. Jake Mangum is set to start in right field Saturday against the Cubs and could see regular playing time until Valdez returns. Meanwhile, Ronny Simon will come up from Triple-A to replenish Pittsburgh's outfield depth. |
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Nick Gonzales Nick Gonzales Getting breather Saturday
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 11:29 AM
Gonzales isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Gonzales will get a break Saturday after going 9-for-33 (.273) with two RBI and a run scored through his first nine games of September. Jacob Gonzalez will start at the hot corner and bat eighth. |
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Rafael Flores Jr. Rafael Flores Jr. Day off Saturday
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 11:26 AM
Flores isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Flores has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but the Pirates will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's affair. Henry Davis will take over behind the dish and bat ninth. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Sitting out Saturday
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 11:22 AM
Valdez (hamstring) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: The Pirates have yet to provide an update on Valdez's status after he exited Friday's game with a left hamstring injury, though he will need at least one day off to recover. Jake Mangum will start in right field Saturday and could continue to do so if Valdez needs to spend time on the IL. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Handed loss in bullpen game
Sat, Sep 12, 2026, 6:51 AM
Dotel (1-5) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on four hits over two innings as the Pirates were routed 12-2 by the Cubs. He struck out one without walking a batter.
Analysis: Pittsburgh went with a bullpen game to fill the spot of Braxton Ashcraft (arm) in the rotation, and Dotel was the first of three pitchers to work multiple innings at Wrigley Field as all three got tagged for at least three runs. Dotel has been relatively effective in a long-relief role since the All-Star break, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over his last nine appearances and 16.1 innings. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Leaves game with hamstring injury
Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 3:19 PM
Valdez was removed from Friday's contest against the Cubs with left hamstring discomfort, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Valdez grounded out to shortstop in the top of the sixth inning and almost immediately came up limping after exiting the batter's box. The Pirates could have more information on his status after the game, but it's an injury that could end the rookie's season. Valdez was 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in the game before exiting. |
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Brandon Lowe Brandon Lowe Sitting out versus left-hander
Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 10:56 AM
Lowe is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Lowe will begin the festivities on the bench as the Cubs send southpaw Shota Imanaga to the bump. Nick Gonzales will handle second base and will bat sixth for the Pirates. |
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Wilber Dotel Wilber Dotel Picking up first MLB start
Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 10:34 AM
Dotel is slated to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Stepping into the rotation spot vacated by the injured Braxton Ashcraft (arm), Dotel will likely operate as more of an opener Friday rather than a traditional starter. Dotel will be taking the hill on two days' rest and hasn't covered more three innings in any appearance in the majors or minors since the All-Star break, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the batting order. Khristian Curtis and Antwone Kelly are both well-rested arms capable of covering multiple frames out of the bullpen once Dotel's day is done. |
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Ronny Simon Ronny Simon Dispatched to Indianapolis
Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 10:13 AM
The Pirates optioned Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Analysis: Simon had just been recalled Sunday and received only one plate appearance this week. He's clearing off the roster to make room for the return of Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) from the injured list. |
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Ryan O'Hearn Ryan O'Hearn Making return from IL
Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 10:08 AM
The Pirates activated O'Hearn (quadriceps) from the 10-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Sidelined since late July with a left quadriceps strain, O'Hearn has been cleared to return after going 1-for-7 with one double and a 1:2 BB:K in two rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis. The 33-year-old has authored a .270/.334/.454 batting line with 17 home runs over 96 contests this season. Manager Don Kelly said Friday that O'Hearn will likely be limited to first base and designated hitter down the stretch so as not to risk aggravating his quad issue in the outfield, per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com. O'Hearn is not in the lineup Friday against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga. |
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Antwone Kelly Antwone Kelly Recalled from Indianapolis
Thu, Sep 10, 2026, 4:49 PM
The Pirates recalled Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Analysis: The 23-year-old righty will rejoin the big club to give the Pirates extra bullpen help following Braxton Ashcraft's (arm) move to the injured list. Kelly has coughed up five earned runs in 8.1 big-league innings this season and will likely work in a multi-inning relief role as long as he's up with Pittsburgh. |
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Braxton Ashcraft Braxton Ashcraft Placed on injured list
Thu, Sep 10, 2026, 4:45 PM
The Pirates placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right arm discomfort, retroactive to Monday.
Analysis: Ashcraft gave up three earned runs during his most recent outing Saturday against the Angels, and he appears to have come away from his start with an arm injury that's serious enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. A minimum-length stay would give him enough time to make one more start during the final week of the season, though the Pirates -- currently five games back of a wild-card spot with 16 to play -- could shut him down for the year if they're eliminated before Ashcraft is healthy. Antwone Kelly was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez On bench Thursday
Thu, Sep 10, 2026, 4:11 PM
Valdez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Valdez will get a chance to rest his legs Thursday after going 2-for-6 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored over the first two games of the series. While he sits, Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Jake Mangum will start across the outfield. |
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Mason Montgomery Mason Montgomery Picks up 11th save
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 11:11 PM
Montgomery got the save Wednesday against the White Sox, striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Montgomery continued his scoreless streak to 18.1 innings with the save Wednesday. The left-hander has now converted save opportunities in his last four outings, and has not lost a game since June 26. |
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Esmerlyn Valdez Esmerlyn Valdez Homer in win
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 11:04 PM
Valdez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in the win Wednesday against the White Sox.
Analysis: Valdez got the start in right field, but got pulled for pinch runner Billy Cook in the seventh. The rookie kicked off the scoring with a long ball off of Davis Martin in the fifth to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead that they never looked back on. The 22-year-old has not hit well in his last 30 games, hitting .178 with three homers and 11 RBI as well as 50 strikeouts in 101 at-bats. |
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Konnor Griffin Konnor Griffin Two stolen bases in win
Wed, Sep 9, 2026, 10:51 PM
Griffin went 1-for-4 with two RBI and two stolen bases Wednesday in the 4-2 win over the White Sox.
Analysis: Griffin singled home what would become the winning runs of the game in the seventh inning to get his first RBI since coming off the injured list with a torn sagittal band on his left ring finger. The rookie batted leadoff for the fourth straight game and proved he was still going to be aggressive on the basepaths with his 21st and 22nd stolen bases of the season. The 20-year-old is slashing .266/.325/.389 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 64 games so far this season. |
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