Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Esmerlyn Valdez homers for first MLB hit, helping Pirates top Jays

Esmerlyn Valdez stroked a two-run homer for his first career major league hit Sunday afternoon and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.

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The Quiz of the Day

Watch: Pittsburgh Pirates firmly among MLB's 'most-improved teams' | MLB Sunday Leadoff | MLB on NBC

MLB News / NBC Sports / May 24

Watch: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Toronto Blue Jays | MLB SUNDAY LEADOFF HIGHLIGHTS | MLB on NBC | 5/24/26

New York Yankees News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'ERA leaders since 2003' quiz

How many ERA leaders from both leagues since the 2003 season can you name in five minutes?

Oneil Cruz News / NBC Sports / May 24

Watch: Oneil Cruz CRUSHED this one!

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.

Spencer Horwitz News / NBC Sports / May 24

Watch: Spencer Horwitz takes Cease deep on FIRST PITCH of game | MLB Sunday Leadoff | MLB on NBC | 5/24/26

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 / Athlon Sports / May 24

Pirates Make Konnor Griffin Decision Before Blue Jays Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a notable lineup decision before Sunday’s Game 3 matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays, leaving rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin out of the starting lineup.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 24

Paul Skenes Starting to Cause Concern for Pirates?

On the surface, the final lines of Paul Skenes’ last two starts tell a story of a young pitcher taking his lumps. Five innings, five earned runs and a shutout loss against Philadelphia on May 17.

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.

MLB News / Field Level Media / May 24

Suddenly surging Jays look to finish off sweep of Pirates

The host Toronto Blue Jays will send out Dylan Cease Sunday afternoon as they go for a three-game sweep of the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates. The Blue Jays have won a season-best four straight, including the first two of a three-game series with the Pirates after a 5-2 victory on Saturday.

MLB News / Field Level Media / May 23

Blue Jays cruise past Paul Skenes, Pirates to extend win streak

George Springer and Tyler Heineman stroked home runs Saturday afternoon and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2. The Blue Jays have won a season-best four in a row and will be going for a sweep of the three-game series Sunday afternoon.

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The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

The 'ERA leaders since 2003' quiz

The '35-5-5 Conference Finals games' quiz

The 'NBA MVPs' quiz

Paul Skenes News / Bleacher Report / May 23

Watch: Livvy Dunne going through it

Don Kelly News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 23

Pirates’ Don Kelly Ejected Against Blue Jays

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had their latest game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays go from bad to worse, as they lost their manager. Pirates manager Don Kelly earned an ejection in the bottom of the sixth inning, with his team trailing the Blue Jays 4-1 at the Rogers Centre.

Dennis Santana News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 23

Struggling Relief Pitcher Causing Major Headache for Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates need strong performances from their relievers, but one of their top choices isn't performing up to par. Pirates right-handed relief pitcher Dennis Santana has had a rough month and it got worse in his latest outing vs.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 23

Pirates Make Surprising Oneil Cruz Decision Before Blue Jays Game

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz has been one of the best hitters for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, but his recent struggles are a clear problem for the team.

Seth Hernandez News / Inside The Diamonds / May 23

Pittsburgh Pirates Notes: Seth Hernandez Struggles, Gray goes Deep Twice

The Pirates currently hold a 26-25 record and sit 5.5 games back in the National League Central standings. Over the last 24 hours, the team’s defensive errors overshadowed a career-best pitching performance.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Athlon Sports / May 23

Braxton Ashcraft Fantasy Baseball 2026: The Fifth Pitch That Changes Everything

Everyone was watching Paul Skenes. Braxton Ashcraft snuck in the back door. While the Pirates' marquee arm has absorbed the national spotlight that comes with being one of baseball’s most discussed pitching prospects, his rotation-mate has been quietly building one of the more compelling breakout cases in fantasy baseball.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / New Baseball Media / May 23

What to Expect from Pirates Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez

It’s been a great few years in the Minors for Pirates outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, who started 2024 in Low-A. But since then, his power bat has carried him through the Minors.

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

The Brandon Lowe acquisition is paying off for the Pirates

Bryce Harper offers high praise of Pirates star Paul Skenes

Ryan O'Hearn News / Yardbarker / May 17

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

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without one of their best hitters for some time.

Last year's David Bednar trade is going to haunt the 2026 Pirates

The Brandon Lowe acquisition is paying off for the Pirates

The '1979 ‘We Are Family’ Pittsburgh Pirates' quiz

Brandon Lowe News / Yardbarker / May 16

The Brandon Lowe acquisition is paying off for the Pirates

Back in December 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Brandon Lowe in a blockbuster three-team trade, and it's panning out to be the best trade of the offseason for them.

Five young NL breakout performers in MLB this season

Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez aims to remain 'handful' vs. Pirates

Phillies' Kyle Schwarber reaches historic pace after two-homer game

The '1979 ‘We Are Family’ Pittsburgh Pirates' quiz

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