Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Are Bringing a New Confidence in 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't a franchise known for winning or having high hopes, but the 2026 season could change that. The Pirates are 10-6 after their first 16 games, sitting in first place of the National League Central Division and tied for second place in MLB with 10 wins so far.

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Brandon Lowe etches his name next to Honus Wagner in Pirates history

Lowe continued his offensive tear to start the 2026 season with a five-RBI game against Washington on Monday.

Pirates post monstrous 10-run inning vs. Nationals

Paul Skenes reaches career milestone at historic pace

How former Pirates star Phil Garner earned the nickname 'Scrap Iron'

The 'First Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / April 14

Paul Skenes reaches career milestone at historic pace

Even on a night the Pittsburgh Pirates enjoy an offensive explosion, ace Paul Skenes shares in the headlines.

Five things to watch in MLB this week

What part’s of Oneil Cruz’s hot start are sustainable

How former Pirates star Phil Garner earned the nickname 'Scrap Iron'

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

Mike Trout News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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

How many of the players with the most multiple-home run by MLB franchise can you name in five minutes?

The '200-win, 3K-strikeout pitchers' quiz

The 'Youngest MLB 30/30 seasons' quiz

The 'Active MLB 3+ 30-homer seasons' quiz

Mitch Keller News / Field Level Media / April 14

Off to fast start, Pirates' Mitch Keller takes aim at Nationals

Mitch Keller is off to the best start of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, while fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas' first season with the Washington Nationals has been a disaster.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 current MLB players who will end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Some things appear clear when it comes to Baseball Hall of Fame voting. The PED guys aren’t going to get in, or at least the hitters, and the rubric for starting pitchers has to be reconstructed on the fly.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / April 14

Three good and three bad things from the Pirates so far in 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates have played through 16 games so far this season and are sitting at a 10-6 record. There have been several things that have stood out from this team so far in 2026, both good and bad.

Hunter Barco News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 14

Pirates Manager Explains Hunter Barco Decision

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first change to their pitching staff since Opening Day, which changes the outlook of their bullpen. The Pirates optioned left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk in his place on April 13, sending the rookie southpaw to the minors.

MLB News / Larry Brown Sports / April 14

Pirates post monstrous 10-run inning vs. Nationals

The Pittsburgh Pirates laid the lumber on the Washington Nationals on Monday with an inning for the ages. The Pirates had Paul Skenes on the mound, who historically hasn’t gotten a lot of run support throughout his young career.

Paul Skenes News / ESPN / April 13

Skenes happy Pirates bats making it easy for him

Paul Skenes spent last season pitching on a razor's edge, aware that one mistake could tilt the balance of a game, no matter how masterful the Pirates ace might be.

Brandon Lowe News / MLB on ClutchPoints / April 13

Pirates’ Brandon Lowe pulls off bonkers feat not seen in over 100 years

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of MLB’s biggest surprises to begin the 2026 season. Their winning ways continued on Monday, as they demolished the Washington Nationals to the tune of a 16-5 victory, moving to 10-6 on the season and remaining on top of the NL Central pecking order at present.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

Who are the 25 fastest players in MLB right now?

Speed is more important than ever in MLB with recent rule changes promoting stolen bases. These were the 25 fastest players for the 2026 season, as recorded by the Statcast sprint speed metric.

MLB News / Field Level Media / April 13

Pirates use massive sixth to clobber Nationals 16-5

Brandon Lowe had five RBIs for the second consecutive game to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 16-5 rout of the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Pirates Obliterate Nationals in Support of Paul Skenes

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates gave right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes some support from the plate and then some against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates scored 16 runs in the 16-5 victory in the series opener over the Nationals at PNC Park, marking their highest-total of runs scored in 2026.

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The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz

The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz

The 'NBA top-seed top-scorers' quiz

The 'Three blocks-per-game NBA seasons' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / April 13

Pirates demote young lefty to start games in Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a unique strategy with their young starting pitchers in 2025. The team called up top pitching prospects Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler to make highly anticipated debuts — Chandler more than any rookie in the organization last season — but out of the bullpen.

Jared Jones News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Jared Jones Back With Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a strong pitching staff, but they hope that Jared Jones' return back from injury will make them even better. Jones is with the Pirates ahead of their series opener vs.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Pirates vs. Nationals Bold Predictions: Paul Skenes Denies Washington

The Pittsburgh Pirates bring the National League Central lead back to PNC Park on Monday, opening a four-game home set against the Washington Nationals after a weekend that saw them take two of three from the Chicago Cubs but squander a five-run lead in Sunday’s finale.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Former Pirates Ace Throwing First Pitch Against Rays

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome a familiar face to PNC Park ahead of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. As the team kicks off a weekend theory against their AL Central opponent, the Pirates will look to continue an impressive start to the season.

Konnor Griffin News / Minor League Baseball on SI / April 13

MLB Insider Explains Why Pirates Could Consider Sending Konnor Griffin Back to Minors

In his first taste of major league action, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin hasn't seen the same immediate success at the plate that he's had in the minors.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Pirates Make Hunter Barco Decision Many Saw Coming

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a pair of bullpen moves ahead of their series opener against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley reported that the Pirates have optioned left-hander Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Three Overreactions to Pirates 9-6 Start

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates are off an impressive start to the 2026 season, with a 9-6 record and the top spot in the National League Central division.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / April 13

Pirates Mock Trade to Bolster the Bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen has certainly had its moments, both good and bad, to start the year. However, it may need a facelift sooner rather than later.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / The Lead / April 13

How Are the Pittsburgh Pirates Turning the Tide?

Throughout professional sports, there’s always a handful of teams that act as laughing stocks within their respective leagues. The Cleveland Browns haven’t won a division since 1989 and have gone on a streak of finishing last in their division for 13 of 15 years.

Paul Skenes News / Field Level Media / April 13

Riding momentum from sweep, Nationals ready for Pirates, Paul Skenes

Fresh off their first three-game road sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in 20 years, the Washington Nationals will try to keep their momentum going when they face the Pirates and ace Paul Skenes on Monday night in the first contest of a four-game series in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / April 12

How former Pirates star Phil Garner earned the nickname 'Scrap Iron'

Former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Phil Garner died Saturday at 76 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, his family said in a statement released on Sunday.

Former World Series manager Phil Garner dies at 76

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Minor League Baseball on SI / April 11

Pirates Prospect Twirls Four No-Hit Innings in Second Minor League Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospect produced a stellar outing in his second-ever professional start. Right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez, Pittsburgh's No.