Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Have MLB's Strongest Hitter in 2026

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz came into the 2026 season knowing that he had to prove that, not only could he still hit at the major league level, but that he would excel at it as well.

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Pittsburgh’s new Pirates are off to a hot start

Through the early part of the season the Pittsburgh Pirates have been enjoying a lot of success, with a lot of credit going to their transformed lineup.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 23

Braxton Ashcraft Proving Pirates Right

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a fantastic starting rotation and right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft is an incredibly important part of that.

MLB News / ESPN / April 23

Cruz's 116.9 mph homer hardest-hit this season

Pirates star Oneil Cruz rocketed a cut fastball from Jalen Beeks off the top of the right-field foul pole measured at 432 feet. The exit velocity of 116.9 mph made it the hardest-hit ball this season and second hardest ever at Globe Life Field.

Aaron Judge News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '50-HR, .300 average MLB seasons' quiz

How many of the 20 MLB players to bat .300 and mash 50 home runs in the same season can you name in five minutes?

The 'Last 40-homer season by MLB team' quiz

The 'Multiple 130-RBI MLB seasons' quiz

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

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Field Level Media / April 22

Oneil Cruz's HR caps Pirates' ninth-inning rally for win over Rangers

Nick Gonzales beat the tag at home plate and scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.

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 / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 22

Pirates Injured Infield Duo Returns to Lineup

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates get two key contributors back in the infield and in the lineup for their upcoming game. The Pirates have both second baseman Brandon Lowe and first baseman Spencer Horwitz in the lineup in the second games of the series vs.

Anthony Solometo News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 22

Pirates Pitching Prospect Back On Injured List With Shoulder Issue

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a pitching prospect that had great promise when they drafted him, but injuries have stunted his development. Pirates left-handed pitching prospect Anthony Solometo went on the 7-day injured list back on April 9, after two relief appearances with Double-A Altoona.

Wilber Dotel News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 22

Pirates May Have Solved Bullpen Woes With Young Star

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have had one major issue with bullpen, but one new pitcher could be the answer for that problem. The Pirates called up right-handed pitching prospect Wilber Dotel on April 19 and he has already pitched in the last two games for the team, taking on innings when they've needed it most.

Mitch Jebb News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 22

Pirates Promote Speedy Outfielder to Triple-A

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates moved up an outfielder that is looking to make their mark and show they belong at the major league level. The Pirates moved outfielder Mitch Jebb from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis on April 21, where he ended up starting in center field and hitting seventh in the lineup vs.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 22

Pirates Have Best Offseason Signing in MLB

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates front office had an active winter, which has helped the team greatly, but one addition stands out from amongst the rest.

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.

Andrew McCutchen News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 22

Andrew McCutchen Reacts to Playing Pirates Again

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen spent most of his major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he's in a new jersey against them this time around.

Carmen Mlodzinski News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 21

Carmen Mlodzinski Struggles as Pirates Lose to Rangers

PITTSBURGH — Carmen Mlodzinski is aiming to maintain his spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation, but his most recent appearance didn't help him in that cause.

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The 'Most 30-point NBA Playoff games' quiz

The 'Playoff debut scoring-record by team' quiz

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

The 'Stanley Cup Playoff hat-tricks' quiz

Spencer Horwitz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 21

Pirates Make Lineup Change After Spencer Horwitz Neck Issue

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to first pitch in their next game, but made a change concerning their first baseman Spencer Horwitz. The Pirates announced that they took Horwitz out of the lineup ahead of their series opener vs.

Brandon Lowe News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 21

Pirates’ Brandon Lowe Dealing With New Injury

PITTSBURGH — Brandon Lowe has been one of the best players for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, but may miss some time. Pirates manager Don Kelly said prior to the series opener vs.

Carmen Mlodzinski News / Bucs Dugout / April 21

Why Carmen Mlodzinski has been Pirates best starting pitcher

Entering the 2026 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation contained the reigning Cy Young winner, the No. 2 pitching prospect in baseball, and the former franchise leader in strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 21

Four Pirates Prospect Hitters Standing Out Early in 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the best farm systems in baseball and have a few prospects that are showing off their bat to start the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / April 21

Pirates bullpen has been shaky at times to start the 2026 MLB season

The Pittsburgh Pirates came into 2026 with high expectations on their pitching staff, and while their starting rotation has lived up to them, the bullpen has been very shaky to start the season. The Pirates bullpen has an ERA of around 3.68, which is up there for being the best in the National League.

Oneil Cruz News / Just Baseball / April 21

Is This the Year Oneil Cruz Puts it All Together?

After a decade of futility, including nine straight NL Central finishes of fourth or worst, the Pittsburgh Pirates finally look like a team that’s ready to compete.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Fastball on SI / April 20

Paul Skenes' Generational Run Tops Vida Blue, Dwight Gooden

The Pittsburgh Pirates certainly found a star with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft in Paul Skenes. Pittsburgh clearly knew that it had found an MLB-ready superstar as well, seeing how Skenes made his debut just a few months later on May 11, 2024.

Mitch Keller News / Field Level Media / April 19

Keller directs Pirates over Rays to clinch series win

Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Total Pro Sports / April 19

Tornado-Like Winds Rip Through PNC Park—Fans Nearly Speared by Flying Umbrellas

Several MLB stadiums are facing tough weather conditions this weekend. Some have seen fans get injured badly by objects supposed to protect them. On Friday, Coors Field was buried in snow hours before play ball in the first game of the season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB Trade Rumors / April 19

Pirates Recall Wilber Dotel For MLB Debut

Right-hander Wilber Dotel will join the Pirates on Sunday, the club announced. Fellow righty Cam Sanders was optioned back to Triple-A. Dotel is among the top pitching prospects in the organization yet to appear in the big leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / April 18

Pirates' Oneil Cruz having more success against left-handed pitchers

The Pittsburgh Pirates are performing with a competitive edge early this season in the NL Central. A player who has bounced back from struggles last season is Oneil Cruz.

Jordan Walker reestablishing himself as part of Cardinals' future

Blue Jays prospect Charles McAdoo is knocking on door for MLB call-up

These seven hitters are driving the early MLB leaderboard

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

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / April 16

Can Pirates hurry Seth Hernandez to majors like they did Konnor Griffin?

General manager Ben Cherington and the Pittsburgh Pirates have cashed in on — well, dished out for, really — one high school draftee already this season.

Mike Trout's hot bat makes history in multiple ways at Yankee Stadium

Kevin McGonigle becomes latest MLB rookie to cash in with massive Tigers contract

Mets continue to make worrisome admissions as losing streak grows

Paul Skenes News / Yardbarker / April 15