Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Jared Jones To Start For Pirates On Friday

Pirates manager Don Kelly told members of the media, including Jason Mackey of MLB.com, that right-hander Jared Jones will start for the Pirates on Friday.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Paul Skenes Is Becoming a Pitcher, Not Just a Flame Thrower And That Should Terrify the NL in 2026

If the opposition wasn’t already quaking in its cleats when Paul Skenes took the mound, it’s darn near petrified in 2026. The 2025 NL Cy Young winner entered MLB as the hardest thrower in the game, and you shouldn’t let that abnormal opening 2026 outing and 3.00 ERA fool you.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 28

Pirates Biggest Remaining Need This Season

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have been successful for the most part this season, but there's always room for improvement on any team. The Pirates sit 29-27 after 56 games, which is surprisingly last in the National League Central Division, which has all five teams above .500, but is only one game out of an NL Wild Card spot.

Paul Skenes News / CBSSports.com / May 28

Use BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS to get $1,500 bonus bets for Thunder-Spurs, Paul Skenes props on Thursday

Use the latest BetMGM promo code CBSSPORTS to get $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses for NBA and MLB betting on Thursday

Shohei Ohtani News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Foreign-born 250-HR club' quiz

How many of the 53 Major League Baseball players not born in the United States of America with 250 or more career home runs can you name in seven minutes?

The 'Last 30-HR season by MLB team' quiz

The 'Most K's to start an MLB career' quiz

The 'Active 40-HR MLB seasons' quiz

Bubba Chandler News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 28

Bubba Chandler Throwing His Opportunity With Pirates Away

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates needed a strong outing from right-handed starting pitcher Bubba Chandler, but the issues he's had all season came to the forefront,.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in MLB history

Not every all-timer has instant success at the next level. For many baseball players, it takes a few bumps in the road out of the gate before they ever reach stardom.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 28

Endy Rodríguez Etches Name in Pirates History

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez has been solid for the team since earning his callup two weeks back and also made franchise history in his latest start.

Paul Skenes News / Field Level Media / May 28

After ending 10-game skid, Cubs face tall task vs. Paul Skenes, Pirates

The Chicago Cubs finally cured some of their ills by snapping their longest losing streak in almost four years on Wednesday. But on Thursday night, the Cubs will face Pirates ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who will try to get back on track in the finale of the teams' four-game series in Pittsburgh.

MLB News / Yardbarker / May 27

Andrew McCutchen's resume may not be enough for Hall of Fame

The Texas Rangers designated Andrew McCutchen for assignment on Wednesday afternoon, ending what has been a disappointing two-month run to open the season.

Andrew McCutchen designated for assignment by Rangers

Trio of Astros pitchers combine to make history in win over Rangers

Rangers offense reaches rock bottom in no-hit loss to Astros

Rangers’ payback against the Astros reached a historic level

The 'Last 200-K pitcher by MLB team' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 27

Pirates Show Trust in New Leadoff Hitter vs. Cubs

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have gone with different players in the leadoff role, but one player is sticking out in that regard. First baseman Spencer Horwitz will lead off for the Pirates, as they host the Chicago Cubs for the third time in a four-game series at PNC Park on May 27.

MLB News / Yardbarker

Which 20 players have hit four home runs in an MLB game?

The only two things rarer in modern-day baseball than the four-homer game is the Triple Crown and the unassisted triple play. The former is, of course, done over an entire season, while there's a large level of lucky in the unassisted triple play.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 27

Pirates Doing Something They Haven't Since 1940

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have had an excellent season, particularly from the plate, as they're maintaining impressive production so far. The Pirates have scored 270 runs this season, ranking fifth-most in baseball and giving them an average of 4.91 runs per game, or five runs per game, to round it up to the nearest whole number.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 27

Which Pirates Rookies Stick Around Remainder of the Season?

PITTSBURGH — Rookies aren't normally the most important part of a team's success, but they've been massively important for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season.

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

The 'NBA Coaches of the Year' quiz

The 'Active playoff double-doubles' quiz

The '3 3-pointer, 3-block Playoff games' quiz

The 'Most 30-point playoff games by team' quiz

Spencer Horwitz News / Just Baseball / May 27

Spencer Horwitz Is an Underrated Talent on the Pirates

Back on December 10, 2024, the Toronto Blue Jays made a blockbuster move to acquire Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians for a pair of prospects.

Bubba Chandler News / Field Level Media / May 27

Pirates' Bubba Chandler aims to stop slide vs. reeling Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of their longest losing streak in nearly four years. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler has lost his past four decisions.

MLB News / Field Level Media / May 26

Pirates post 12 runs, 15 hits in Cubs' 10th straight loss

Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez hit his second career home run and Oneil Cruz had the first of his three hits to highlight a five-run first inning, putting the host Pittsburgh Pirates on course to a 12-1 victory over the reeling Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.

Konnor Griffin News / Athlon Sports / May 26

Pirates Make Bold Konnor Griffin Decision Ahead of Cubs Game

Konnor Griffin has completely revitalized the Pittsburgh Pirates' offense since making his debut on April 3. Now, the Pirates are making a major change to their lineup.

Bryan Reynolds News / HITC / May 26

The real reason behind Bryan Reynolds’ strange season for the Pittsburgh Pirates

The simplest explanation for Bryan Reynolds’ unusual start is the one Pirates fans keep returning to: something must be wrong physically. The evidence does not really back that up.

Brandon Lowe News / Athlon Sports / May 26

Pirates' Brandon Lowe Acquisition Paying Great Dividends

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the offseason needing to upgrade an offense that finished last in MLB in runs scored with 583. That lack of production translated to just 3.6 runs per game in 2025, also the worst mark in baseball.

Houston Astros News / Yardbarker / May 25

Trio of Astros pitchers combine to make history in win over Rangers

In making the 2026 Memorial Day holiday a memorable one, the Houston Astros put together an historic performance in a win over their in-state rival, the Texas Rangers, on Monday night.

Rangers offense reaches rock bottom in no-hit loss to Astros

Jacob Misiorowski dominates again as Brewers continue hot stretch

Guardians' Tanner Bibee ties record for home runs given up in a game

White Sox back above .500 as Rikuu Nishida shines in MLB debut

Dodgers' Roki Sasaki has turned a corner over his last four starts

Red Sox's Garrett Crochet progressing well after injury

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB on ClutchPoints / May 25

Pirates’ Don Kelly not thrilled after this Konnor Griffin hit-by-pitch goes uncalled

Don Kelly made sure everyone in the ballpark knew exactly how he felt. The Pittsburgh Pirates manager was ejected Monday after umpires reviewed a play

Pittsburgh Pirates News / The Lead / May 25

The Pirates’ Bullpen Is a Major Issue Costing Them Wins

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been at the bottom of baseball’s standings for years. The 2026 season has proven to be different. The Pirates have been at or over .500 since the beginning of April.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Inside The Diamonds / May 25

Pittsburgh Pirates Notes: Valdez Connects, Sterling Dazzles & Cubs Come to PNC Park

The Pirates currently hold a 27-26 record following a successful series finale in Toronto. Pittsburgh avoided a three-game sweep on Sunday. They powered past the Blue Jays with a trio of home runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Inside The Diamonds / May 24

Pittsburgh Pirates Notes: Skenes Struggles, Jones Continues Road Back

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 26-26 record. This follows a series-clinching 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday afternoon. In the last 24 hours, Paul Skenes had a difficult road start.

Konnor Griffin News / Just Baseball / May 22

Konnor Griffin Is Evolving Before Our Very Eyes

Before this year’s home opener at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, the Pirates made the move their fanbase had been anxiously awaiting ever since spring training: Konnor Griffin was on his way to the show for his major league debut in front of a sold-out crowd that would immediately embrace him.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / MLB Trade Rumors / May 21

Pirates To Promote Esmerlyn Valdez

The Pirates are going to promote first base/outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR. Fellow outfielder Billy Cook will be optioned as the corresponding active roster move, per DK Pittsburgh Sports.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / May 18

Password accepted: Pirates call up outfielder in wake of Ryan O’Hearn injury

The Pittsburgh Pirates found themselves in need of another outfielder following a weekend sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies. Right fielder Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn to miss time due to injury

The Brandon Lowe acquisition is paying off for the Pirates

Bryce Harper offers high praise of Pirates star Paul Skenes