Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Examining the Pirates Rotation Battle So Far in Spring Training

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation is mostly set as spring training rolls on. Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Bubba Chandler, and Braxton Ashcraft make up the Pirates’ 1-4.

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Pirates Minor League Signee Off to (Shockingly) Strong Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed veteran right-hander Mike Clevinger to a minor league contract at the start of February. He is currently in spring training as one of Pittsburgh’s non-roster invitees.

MLB News / Last Word On Sports / March 4

Pirates Send Hard-Throwing Reliever to Reds for Utility Prospect

Spring Training transactions are not uncommon, and the Pittsburgh Pirates just made one with a division rival team. They’ve sent hard-throwing reliever Kyle Nicolas to the Cincinnati Reds for utility prospect Tyler Callihan.

CC Sabathia News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'A.L. wins leaders since 2000' quiz

How many of the starting pitchers to lead the American League in wins since the 2000 season can you name in five minutes?

The 'Live-Ball Era strikeout leaders' quiz

The 'American League Cy Young winners' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game starting pitchers' quiz

MLB News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 4

Pirates, Reds Swap Tyler Callihan For Kyle Nicolas

The Pirates announced they’ve traded relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas to the Reds for left fielder/second baseman Tyler Callihan. Both players were on the 40-man roster, so there’s no corresponding move.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2026

As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.

Paul Skenes News / Bucs Dugout / March 4

Paul Skenes speaks of different feeling in Pirates camp, makes first USA start

Ask any Pittsburgh Pirates fan about the team this season and there’s likely a different tone to the conversation then years before. The Pirates finished 2025 as a 71-91 club, depressing by five wins from the previous two seasons.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 4

Pirates Batting Order Experiments Hint at a Long-Term Plan

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit well so far in the Grapefruit League, even with the changeup of their lineup each game. The Pirates stand 9-2 in the Grapefruit League, top of the standings, and have won their past five games, with the second highest run difference of +31.

Konnor Griffin News / Bucs Dugout / March 4

Pirates Konnor Griffin already in rare group of baseball legends

The Pittsburgh Pirates have landed themselves a generational kind of player in rising star Konnor Griffin. In Spring Training so far, Griffin has been very impressive and is being compared to players of the past who made their MLB debuts with roughly the same amount of inexperience and youth in their professional careers.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 4

Pirates Bullpen Duo Star in Dominican Republic Exhibition

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the midst of Spring Training, but have a bullpen duo who are readying themselves for the World Baseball Classic.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 4

Pirates Prospects That Made New MLB Pipeline Top 30 List

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the better farm systems in all of baseball and a few prospects looking to make a big impact in 2026. MLB Pipeline put out their re-ranking of the Pirates' top 30, which included players who moved up, players who moved down, those that finally made the list and those that fell off.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 4

Four Pirates That Are Out of Minor League Options

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a little more than three weeks until they need their 26-man roster finalized and have to make difficult decisions with minor league options in mind.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 4

Pirates' Paul Skenes Excels in Team USA Tune Up

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starting pitcher Paul Skenes is away from the team currently, but still showing why he's one of the best aces in the game.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / March 3

This Password is Strong: García’s Spring Throws Wrench into Pirates Depth Chart

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired a handful of hitters this past offseason, including “The Password,” Jhostynxon García. The Bucs traded for him, alongside pitching prospect Jesus Travieso, for RHP Johan Oviedo and two other prospects.

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The 'Active NFL carries leaders' quiz

The 'Most passing + rushing TD games' quiz

The 'NBA 30-point game leaders' quiz

The 'College basketball mythical mascots' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 3

Pirates Dominate Team Colombia in Exhibition

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates took a break from Grapefruit League play, but still kept up their great play in their exhibition against Team Colombia.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 3

Pirates' Paul Skenes Gets First Team USA Test

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes is getting his first chance to wear his nations' colors this year in his first tune-up for them. Skenes will start for Team USA in their first exhibition match against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Konnor Griffin News / CBSSports.com / March 3

NL Rookie of the Year favorite Konnor Griffin flashing spring power, but is he the best bet to win?

Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin is the No. 1 overall prospect in MLB and the NL Rookie of the Year favorite. But is he the best bet to win the award? SportsLine expert Matt Severance breaks it down

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Just Baseball / March 3

The Pirates’ Pitching Lab Is On Full Display

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve finally made it. After months of waiting around for baseball to return, spring training games have officially begun! Even though it’s only been a few games, we’ve still seen some very intriguing performances.

Bubba Chandler News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 3

One Pirates Pitcher That Could Breakout in 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the better starting rotations in all of baseball, but if they want to be near the best, they'll need great performances from all five of their pitchers.

Ryan O'Hearn News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / March 3

Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn Adjusting to New Fielding Assignment

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates brought Ryan O'Hearn as their marquee free agent signing for his bat, but he will have more defensive responsibilities this season than previously thought.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / March 3

Bucs are scoring runs in the Grapefruit League

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a surprising 9-2 in this year’s Spring Training Grapefruit League following yesterday’s 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. They are currently on a five-game win streak and have the best record in all of Spring Training.

Paul Skenes News / Athlon Sports / March 2

Team USA Makes Paul Skenes Decision at World Baseball Classic

Team USA looks primed for a deep run in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after a disappointing loss to Team Japan in the 2023 championship game. The most notable change from the previous WBC's roster is in the star-studded rotation, which for the first time features a group of Major League Baseball's top starting pitchers.

Video Games News / Athlon Sports / March 2

MLB The Show 26 ‘New Legends’ List Sparks Debate — Who’s Missing?

It’s March. And that means baseball is almost back. MLB The Show 26 is just weeks away, with early access beginning March 13 and the full release on March 17.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / March 1

Will Konnor Griffin play his way onto Pirates’ Opening Day roster?

Will Konnor Griffin join rare company, play his way onto Pirates’ Opening Day roster?

At age 19, Griffin is already showcasing a capacity to play at the big-league level.

Spring training roundup: Top prospect Konnor Griffin homers again for Pirates

Potential extension for top prospect Konnor Griffin could get him on Pirates roster faster

Three keys to Pirates turning preseason hype into regular-season results

The 'Last 40-homer season by MLB team' quiz

Paul Skenes News / Athlon Sports / February 27

Paul Skenes Backs Pirates as Pittsburgh Faces Dilemma

The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to build a contender around Paul Skenes. Although Pittsburgh may still be a year or two away from realistically contending, the Pirates made a number of quality additions this past offseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / February 27