Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Make Big Lineup Changes Against Brewers' Kyle Harrison

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to avoid an embarrassing sweep to their divisional foe, but face a pitcher who has dominated them in 2026.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Pirates Name Starting Pitcher for Brewers Series Finale

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to their youth to lead in their series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers. Rookie right-handed pitcher Wilber Dotel will start for the Pirates against the Brewers, as they look to win the final game against their National League Central Divisional foe at PNC Park on Sept.

Jared Jones News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 17

Pirates' Jared Jones Shows He's Dominant Despite Loss

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered another disappointing loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, but Jared Jones maintained the great performances he's shown in September.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 17

Oneil Cruz Blast Breaks Pirates Franchise Home Run Record

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates lineup is displaying great power this season, and center fielder Oneil Cruz has been a large part of that. Cruz hit a solo home run in the fourth inning of the Pirates' 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on Sept.

Pete Alonso News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most 35-HR, 100-RBI seasons' quiz

How many of the 36 players to reach the 35-home run and 100-RBI milestones in the same season at least five different times can you name in five minutes?

The 'All-time hits leader for every MLB franchise' quiz

The 'Single-season HR leader by team' quiz

The 'Active RBI leaders' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 16

Insider 'Fully Expects' Pirates to Make This Ben Cherington Decision

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are heading towards another disappointing season and questions on general manager Ben Cherington's tenure are starting to arise.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

The most surprising player from every MLB team for the 2026 season

The 2026 season has been headlined by young players emerging, but some wily veterans have also had their day. As we head toward the end of the regular season, these 30 players stand out as the biggest surprises on their teams.

Ronny Simon News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 16

Pirates Outfielder Gets Big Opportunity Against Brewers

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have little hope of making the postseason, so they need to figure out who will make contributions heading into 2027.

Brandon Lowe News / Athlon Sports / September 16

Brandon Lowe Makes Franchise History During First Year With Pirates

Brandon Lowe made Pittsburgh Pirates history Tuesday night, reaching 30 home runs in his first season with the club. Lowe hit his milestone homer against the Milwaukee Brewers, sending a ball off the right-field foul pole at PNC Park.

Oneil Cruz News / EssentiallySports / September 15

Pirates’ 27YO Star’s Alleged Deal Surfaced as Report Reveals a Settlement of $66,000 Paid to Victims’ Families

An automobile accident on a dark, four-lane highway in the Dominican Republic back in September 2020 almost derailed the then-Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect Oneil Cruz’s career.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 15

Three Top Pirates Prospects Playing in Arizona Fall League

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have some of the best future talent in baseball, and those players will get to show off on a big stage. The Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 15

Pirates Facing Massive Uphill Battle in Wild Card Race

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are almost done with the 2026 season, and it'll come even sooner if they don't start a winning streak. The Pirates are 75-75, .500, with 12 games remaining, and are seven games back of the third spot in the National League Wild Card race, which the San Diego Padres (82-68) currently occupy.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The most disappointing player from every MLB team for the 2026 season

The 2026 season hasn't gone as planned for many MLB players. These 30 players stand out as the biggest disappointments for their respective teams.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 15

Three Pirates Hitters With Most to Prove to End 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have played much better in September, but there are some players who have struggled. The Pirates fixed their offensive

Braxton Ashcraft News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 15

Pirates Reveal Pitching Plan Without Braxton Ashcraft

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates rotation took a big hit when Braxton Ashcraft went on the injured list, and they have a plan to replace him. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan that they will go with the bullpen game instead of Ashcraft for the final two weeks of the season.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Active 150-yard NFL rushers' quiz

The '10K-yard, 80-TD NFL receivers' quiz

The '5+ rushing-TD NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 14

Oneil Cruz is Key to Pirates Closing Wild Card Gap

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have just a few weeks remaining in their regular season. After dropping two out of three against the Chicago Cubs in their most recent series, the Buccos head into the final stretch with a 75-75 record.

Oneil Cruz News / Just Baseball / September 14

Oneil Cruz Is Showing What the Pirates Were Missing

Earlier this season, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz was breaking out and finally taking his game to the next level. Ever since he debuted back in 2021, it felt like the baseball world was awaiting that one “big year” from Cruz, as his electric power was second to none in the sport.

Brandon Lowe News / Field Level Media / September 13

Brandon Lowe's pinch-hit heroics help Pirates evade sweep by Cubs

Brandon Lowe drove in two runs with a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning as the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 Sunday. The Cubs (83-67) fell into a tie with the Phillies for the first National League wild-card spot.

MLB News / Yardbarker / September 13

Don Kelly defends pulling Paul Skenes in Pirates' late loss to Cubs

With a slim 3-2 lead and Paul Skenes on the mound, Don Kelly made a decision that some believe sank the Pittsburgh Pirates' playoff hopes. It's also one the Pirates' manager had to answer for immediately following Pittsburgh's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Cubs announce plans for return of Dansby Swanson

Cubs' Alex Bregman's explosive second half helping to erase slow start

The 'National League Cy Young winners' quiz

Esmerlyn Valdez News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 12

Pirates Place Esmerlyn Valdez On 10-Day Injured List

The Pirates placed outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez on the 10-day injured list today before their afternoon matchup with the Cubs. Utilityman Ronny Simon got the call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his place on the active roster.

Mike Clevinger News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 12

KBO’s NC Dinos Sign Mike Clevinger

The NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization announced they’ve signed right-hander Mike Clevinger (h/t to Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net). It’s a six-week deal as an injury replacement for righty Curtis Taylor.

Ryan O'Hearn News / Field Level Media / September 11

Pirates activate 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn from IL

The Pittsburgh Pirates brought back veteran first baseman and outfielder Ryan O'Hearn from the 10-day injured list Friday. The Pirates activated O'Hearn and optioned outfielder Ronny Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis before falling 12-2 to the host Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game series.

Braxton Ashcraft News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 10

Pirates Place Braxton Ashcraft On 15-Day Injured List

The Pirates announced that right-hander Braxton Ashcraft has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to September 7) due to discomfort in his throwing arm.

Oneil Cruz News / Larry Brown Sports / September 10

Watch: 6-foot-7 Oneil Cruz was ready to throw it down during bench-clearing scene

Oneil Cruz looked ready to use his great size advantage during a heated moment in Wednesday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill.

Mason Montgomery News / Just Baseball / September 9

How Adding a Sinker Transformed Mason Montgomery’s 2026 Season

During the first half of the 2026 MLB season, the Pittsburgh Pirates were defined by one thing: a lack of bullpen depth, and more specifically, a lack of a lockdown closer.

Luke Weaver News / Larry Brown Sports / September 5

Pirates pitcher blames poison ivy for his recent struggles

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Luke Weaver has been a disappointment since the team acquired him a month ago at the MLB trade deadline. He has dealt with one highly unusual issue that has at least something to do with that.

Luke Weaver News / Yardbarker / September 4

Pirates' Luke Weaver reveals bizarre issue that may be limiting his performance

Since joining the Pirates, Luke Weaver's numbers have taken a dip from what they were with the Mets, and he recently revealed what one of the issues might be.

Konnor Griffin's return could be the Pirates' last hope of clinching a spot in the postseason

Update on when Mets' Steve Cohen could make major David Stearns decision revealed

MLB insider shares massive update on Mets' possible pursuit of Dodgers' Tarik Skubal

The 'National League Cy Young winners' quiz

Konnor Griffin News / Yardbarker / September 4

Konnor Griffin's return could be the Pirates' last hope of clinching a spot in the postseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates' last hope for clinching the final NL Wild Card spot could be helped by the return of rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin. The 20-year-old

MLB releases spring training schedule as dark cloud looms over 2027

MLB insider shares massive update on Mets' possible pursuit of Dodgers' Tarik Skubal