Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Facing Massive Uphill Battle in Wild Card Race

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are almost done with the 2026 season, and it'll come even sooner if they don't start a winning streak. The Pirates are 75-75, .500, with 12 games remaining, and are seven games back of the third spot in the National League Wild Card race, which the San Diego Padres (82-68) currently occupy.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Three Pirates Hitters With Most to Prove to End 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have played much better in September, but there are some players who have struggled. The Pirates fixed their offensive

Braxton Ashcraft News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 15

Pirates Reveal Pitching Plan Without Braxton Ashcraft

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates rotation took a big hit when Braxton Ashcraft went on the injured list, and they have a plan to replace him. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan that they will go with the bullpen game instead of Ashcraft for the final two weeks of the season.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 14

Oneil Cruz is Key to Pirates Closing Wild Card Gap

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have just a few weeks remaining in their regular season. After dropping two out of three against the Chicago Cubs in their most recent series, the Buccos head into the final stretch with a 75-75 record.

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

MLB News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 14

Pirates Reveal Starting Pitcher for Brewers Series Opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced their starting pitcher for the opening game of their three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Right-hander Lake Bachar will get the nod for the Pirates in that role on September 15 against Jacob Misiorowski and the NL Central-leading Brewers.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

The most surprising player from every MLB team for the 2026 season

The 2026 season has been headlined by young players emerging, but some wily veterans have also had their day. As we head toward the end of the regular season, these 30 players stand out as the biggest surprises on their teams.

Don Kelly News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 14

Former Pirates Manager Could Provide Leadership for Don Kelly

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly is close to finishing his first full season on the job, but may benefit from some guidance next season.

Oneil Cruz News / Just Baseball / September 14

Oneil Cruz Is Showing What the Pirates Were Missing

Earlier this season, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz was breaking out and finally taking his game to the next level. Ever since he debuted back in 2021, it felt like the baseball world was awaiting that one “big year” from Cruz, as his electric power was second to none in the sport.

Brandon Lowe News / Field Level Media / September 13

Brandon Lowe's pinch-hit heroics help Pirates evade sweep by Cubs

Brandon Lowe drove in two runs with a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning as the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 Sunday. The Cubs (83-67) fell into a tie with the Phillies for the first National League wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 13

Pirates Top Prospects Going For Championship Glory

A team's future is always important, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have a few prospects who are close to postseason glory. The Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Pirates' High-A affiliate, will face the Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox) in the South Atlantic League Championship Series, starting on Sept.

MLB News / Yardbarker / September 13

Don Kelly defends pulling Paul Skenes in Pirates' late loss to Cubs

With a slim 3-2 lead and Paul Skenes on the mound, Don Kelly made a decision that some believe sank the Pittsburgh Pirates' playoff hopes. It's also one the Pirates' manager had to answer for immediately following Pittsburgh's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Cubs announce plans for return of Dansby Swanson

Cubs' Alex Bregman's explosive second half helping to erase slow start

The 'National League Cy Young winners' quiz

Esmerlyn Valdez News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 12

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.

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.

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.

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.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

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

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.

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.

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.

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