Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Paul Skenes still looking to get mojo back as he prepares to face Tigers

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping Paul Skenes can pitch like their ace once again and help them make one last push for a playoff berth. Skenes returns to the mound on Wednesday afternoon when the Pirates host the Detroit Tigers in the rubber match of a three-game series.

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Tigers vs. Pirates MLB picks: Could Wednesday matinee be final start of season for scuffling Paul Skenes?

It's not out of the question that Paul Skenes makes his final start of 2026 Wednesday vs. Detroit

Braxton Ashcraft News / Field Level Media / August 18

Braxton Ashcraft excels on mound again to lead Pirates past Tigers

Braxton Ashcraft gave up one run over eight innings and Oneil Cruz homered in his return to the Pirates' lineup to help host Pittsburgh secure a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / August 18

Oneil Cruz Makes First OF Start for Pirates in Two Months

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have waited a long time for Oneil Cruz to play for them once again and they will finally have him doing so. Cruz will start in center field and bat fifth for the Pirates, as they host the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on Aug.

Tim Anderson News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last batting title by MLB team' quiz

How many of the most recent batting champions for each MLB team can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB 400-HR, 200-stolen bases' quiz

The 'Most multi-HR games by MLB team' quiz

The 'Most MLB All-Star Games' quiz

Konnor Griffin News / Athlon Sports / August 18

Pirates’ Konnor Griffin Reveals Target Return Date From Injury

The Pittsburgh Pirates received great news on Monday when it was revealed star shortstop Konnor Griffin was “ahead of schedule” and had his finger splint removed.

MLB News / Yardbarker

Every first-overall MLB draft pick from the 21st century

The MLB Draft doesn’t get the same attention as the NFL Draft…or the NBA Draft…or even the NHL Draft. There’s the element of a stay in a farm system, the general lack of immediate impact for MLB draft picks, and the fact that it’s tougher for one MLB player to turn a franchise’s fortunes around.

MLB News / Athlon Sports / August 18

Pirates Make Roster Move After Loss to Tigers

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a bullpen change after Monday’s 8-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers, optioning right-handed reliever Isaac Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalling right-hander Antwone Kelly.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / August 18

Pirates Bring Back Rookie Pitcher Before Tigers Game

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are always changing their roster around and are doing so once again with their pitching staff. The Pirates recalled right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly ahead of their next game vs.

Nick Yorke News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / August 18

Pirates Utility Man Taking Advantage of Opportunities

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have called upon many different players this season to fill a role when they've needed it most and one player is doing exactly that right now.

Termarr Johnson News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / August 18

Pirates Reveal Next Plan for Termarr Johnson After Injury

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates hoped that Termarr Johnson would become a big part of their future, but a recent injury has hindered that development.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / August 18

Oneil Cruz's Role With Pirates After Injury

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates finally have Oneil Cruz back from injury and will hope he can produce as he once did. Cruz came off of the 60-day injured list on Aug.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

The 20 greatest MLB teams to never win the World Series

Even the most successful regular-season teams in Major League Baseball have failed to win it all. Here's our list of 20 such clubs that fall into that category.

Carmen Mlodzinski News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / August 18

Pirates Must End Carmen Mlodzinski Experiment

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have given right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski starting opportunities the past two seasons and he's shown he's not up for the challenge.

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The 'NFL all-time receptions leaders' quiz

The 'Rookie passing leader by team' quiz

The '2008 Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

The 'Last 200-yard rusher by team' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB Trade Rumors / August 17

Pirates Designate Johnathan Rodríguez For Assignment

The Pirates announced that outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez has been designated for assignment. That opens a 40-man spot for outfielder Oneil Cruz to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list, as move that was previously reported.

Oneil Cruz News / Field Level Media / August 17

Pirates activate CF Oneil Cruz from 60-day IL

The Pittsburgh Pirates activated center fielder Oneil Cruz from the 60-day injured list ahead of Monday's home game against the Detroit Tigers, ending a 58-game absence due to non-displaced fractures in the fourth and fifth metacarpals of his left hand.

Konnor Griffin News / MLB on ClutchPoints / August 17

Pirates’ Konnor Griffin set to take huge step in rehab from finger injury

With the Pittsburgh Pirates trying to make a postseason push, the team will need as much firepower as possible, as fans have been awaiting any injury update on rookie Konnor Griffin.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / August 17

Pirates' Oneil Cruz to reclaim center-field role amid return from injury

The Pittsburgh Pirates have activated Cruz off the 60-day injury list (IL).

Tigers visit Pirates in matchup of teams clinging to wild-card dreams

Nick Yorke comes through for Pirates in series clincher vs. Red Sox

The 'Last batting title by MLB team' quiz

Nick Yorke News / Field Level Media / August 16

Nick Yorke comes through for Pirates in series clincher vs. Red Sox

Nick Yorke had three RBIs while playing in his first game in exactly three months, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe each drove in two to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates secure an 8-3 win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Skenes News / MLB Trade Rumors / August 15

Pirates Push Back Paul Skenes’ Next Start

Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes was lined up to take the ball in the final matchup of a three-game set against the Red Sox on Sunday. Instead, it’ll be a bullpen game for Pittsburgh.

MLB News / Yardbarker / August 15

Red Sox's Sonny Gray sets new career high with win vs. Pirates

With another win, his second of the month, Sonny Gray's career resurgence has turned into putting together a season that can be argued as the best season of his overall career.

Pirates pull a curious move with the struggling Paul Skenes

White Sox claim catcher Jake Rogers off waivers

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

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Just Baseball / August 15

Easton Carmichael Is Thriving in His First Season with the Pirates

Over the past few years, if there’s one thing the Pittsburgh Pirates have lacked, it’s been legitimate catching depth in their system. In 2026, this hasn’t been the case, as the club has seemingly developed multiple very good catching prospects in its farm system.