Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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Don Kelly Gets Bullpen Wrong When Pirates Needed It Most

CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to win a big game against the Chicago Cubs, but manager Don Kelly's bullpen management prevented them from doing so.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Field Level Media / September 12

Pirates place rookie OF Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) on IL

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring injury. The Pirates recalled second baseman Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Houston Astros News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB Playoff hits leaders' quiz

How many of the 30 MLB players with at least 70 hits in their postseason career can you name in five minutes?

The 'Active multiple .300 seasons' quiz

The 'Most 200-hit MLB seasons' quiz

The 'Last MVP by MLB team 'quiz

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 12

Pirates' Paul Skenes Making Most Important Start of His Career

CHICAGO — Paul Skenes hasn't had a chance to pitch in high-stakes games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but his next start is the biggest of his career so far.

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.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 12

Pirates Pitching in Deep Trouble Without Braxton Ashcraft

CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching has been much better over the past month, but they're running into a major problem in the final two weeks of the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / EssentiallySports / September 12

'Holy F***': Pirates Manager Explodes After Umpires Refuse to Overturn Crucial Call

Another day, another umpiring controversy. From balls-and-strikes calls to check swings to askew hats, the MLB world witnessed plenty of controversy between the umpires and teams.

MLB News / Field Level Media / September 12

Pirates ace Paul Skenes hopes for better outcome vs. Cubs

Alex Bregman has been heating up since the All-Star break, and Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell couldn't be happier. The three-time All-Star will look to continue his hot hitting on Saturday afternoon as the Cubs chase a series victory against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

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.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 11

Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez Leaves Cubs Game With Injury

CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates can't avoid injuries to their best players in 2026 and Esmerlyn Valdez is the latest casualty. Valdez left the Pirates series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sept.

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.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / September 11

Pirates enter Wrigley Field as second-hottest team in NL

Don’t look now, but the Pirates are getting hot at the right time. It’s been an uphill battle for the Bucs to erase a sizable deficit in the National League

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 11

Pirates' Oneil Cruz Shows MLB-Best Power Against White Sox

CHICAGO — Oneil Cruz is one of the most powerful hitters in baseball and he's shown that throughout his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cruz did so again with his long, hard-hit solo home run in the top of the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox, putting the Pirates up 1-0 in the eventual 2-0 win at Rate Field on Sept.

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The 'Women's U.S. Open champions' quiz

The '4,500-yard, 15-INT NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most 10-TD catch NFL seasons' quiz

The 'NFL's active passing-leaders' quiz

MLB News / Athlon Sports / September 11

Pirates Demote Outfielder Ahead of Cubs Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move ahead of their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, reinstating Ryan O’Hearn from the 10-day injured list and optioning outfielder Ronny Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Athlon Sports / September 11

Pirates Reinstate Ryan O’Hearn From Injured List

As the Pittsburgh Pirates fight to stay in the NL Wild Card race, their lineup is getting one final boost for the home stretch. Prior to Friday’s series opener at Wrigley Field, the Pirates announced that left-handed slugger Ryan O’Hearn was activated from the 10-day injured list following a month-long absence.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 11

Pirates Name Braxton Ashcraft Replacement Against Cubs

CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates won't have Braxton Ashcraft for his scheduled start, so they're turning to another exciting young arm. The Pirates will have rookie right-handed pitcher Wilber Dotel start against the Chicago Cubs in the series opener at Wrigley Field on Sept.

Ryan O'Hearn News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 11

Pirates Get Ryan O’Hearn Back Just in Time for Playoff Push

CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Pirates have missed the production Ryan O'Hearn has brought, but they're finally getting their slugger back. The Pirates announced that they reinstated O'Hearn from the 10-day injured list ahead of the series opener vs.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Athlon Sports / September 11

Pirates Announce Replacement After Season-Ending Injury News

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Braxton Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Thursday because of right arm discomfort and recalled right-hander Antwone Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Konnor Griffin News / Viral Sports News / September 10

Pirates Raise Eyebrows With Sudden Konnor Griffin Move

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to finish off a series sweep of the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night at Rate Field, and the lineup they posted for the finale contains one notable shift.

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

MLB News / Yardbarker / September 2

Pirates make history with massive inning in wild walk-off win vs. Giants

Before the Pittsburgh Pirates finished off a wild game against the San Francisco Giants with a walk-off win, they made franchise history in the third inning.

Pirates outlast Giants after blowing six-run lead

The 'Active MLB 1K-hit club' quiz

MLB News / Yardbarker / September 2