Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Takeaways: Pirates Offense is Red Hot

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates faced a tough Philadelphia Phillies team at Citizens Bank Park for a long, four-game series on the road. The Pirates managed to split the series, taking the series opener 11-7 on June 29 and the series finale 6-1 on July 2, while losing the middle games, 8-0 on June 30 and 10-6 on July 1.

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The Quiz of the Day

Pittsburgh Pirates Notebooks: Skenes Struggles Continue, Pirates Fall a Game Below .500, & More on Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 43-44 record following a high-scoring defeat in Philadelphia. Over the last 24 hours, the club has endured a difficult outing from its ace.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Field Level Media / July 2

Esmerlyn Valdez (3 RBIs), Pirates split series with Phillies

Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez drove in three runs and Nick Gonzales and Endy Rodriguez each homered, fueling the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.

Konnor Griffin News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 2

Why Pirates Aren't Playing Konnor Griffin Against Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Konnor Griffin is a big part of the Pittsburgh Pirates' success this season, but will not start another game in this last week. Griffin is not in the lineup for the Pirates ahead of their series finale vs.

Philadelphia Phillies News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB XBH leaders' quiz

How many of the active MLB players to rack up at least 500 extra base hits in their career can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The 'MLB active HR leaders' quiz

The 'Active 200-K season leaders' quiz

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players most likely to be traded by the deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline has been quieter in recent years, in part due to playoff expansion, but 2026 is shaping up to be a more exciting one with several big names.

MLB News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 2

Pirates Announce Starting Pitchers For Nationals Series

Following their series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates will face off against another NL East club in the Washington Nationals this weekend.

Paul Skenes News / Athlon Sports / July 2

Do the Pirates Have a Paul Skenes Problem?

It's becoming harder to explain what is going on with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. Not only are the Pirates winless in Skenes' last nine starts, but Skenes has not looked like himself.

Adley Rutschman News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 2

Adley Rutschman Would Bring One Major Concern For Pirates

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman makes sense as a fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates at this year's trade deadline if he's made available, but there is a risk that the club has to be cognizant of before taking the plunge on any potential deal for the former No.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who could be first-time All-Stars in 2026

Being named to the Midsummer Classic is one of the biggest honors for MLB players. These 25 players have a chance to make their first All-Star appearance in 2026 based on their first-half performances.

MLB News / Yardbarker / July 2

Brewers' Aaron Ashby moves up all-time list in win over Reds

A win is a win, but a win is also a bizarre statistic for a relief pitcher. Doing his part to help his team win again on Wednesday night, Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby earned another win.

Something is wrong with Pirates ace Paul Skenes

Cubs' Dansby Swanson is on an all-time hot streak

Cubs slug eight homers, score 23 runs in series finale vs. Padres

The '10-K games with less than 100 pitches' quiz

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

The '2018-19 PPG leaders by team' quiz

The 'NBA Rookies of the Year' quiz

The 'Active MLB XBH leaders' quiz

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

MLB News / Yardbarker / July 2

Something is wrong with Pirates ace Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates might have a Paul Skenes problem.

Yankees' Aaron Judge calls out teammates amid struggles

MLB legend Pedro Martinez destroys Mets: 'They lack identity, personality and leadership'

Rays star Junior Caminero makes MLB history with latest home run

Justin Crawford's in-season adjustments paying dividends

The 'National League Cy Young winners' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 1

Pirates Send Struggling Rookie Relief Pitcher to Minors

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen has struggled for most of 2026 and they are making another change to try and bolster it once again. The Pirates optioned right-handed relief pitcher Brandan Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their game vs.

Konnor Griffin News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 1

Pirates Showing More Faith in Konnor Griffin With Phillies Series

PHILADELPHIA — Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin isn't back at 100% yet, but the team is giving him the chance to progress back to that level once again.

Seth Hernandez News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 1

When Seth Hernandez Will Likely Make Pirates MLB Roster

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball in Seth Hernandez and he earned himself another honor in his young professional career.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Inside The Diamonds / July 1

Pittsburgh Pirates Notebook: Pirates Held Scoreless by Sanchez, Valdez Lone Offensive Bright Spot, Cruz Rehab Update, & More

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 43-43 record following a tough night in Philadelphia. Over the last 24 hours, the club saw its 38-game streak without being shut out come to an end.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 1

Pirates Outfielder Exercises Contract Opt-Out

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a few veterans in the minor leagues that they may rely on this season, but one player won't wait for that chance.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Minor League Baseball on SI / June 30

Pirates Prospect Esmerlyn Valdez Starts MLB Career With Historic Home Run Streak

Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Esmerlyn Valdéz has been making plenty of noise at the plate in the majors over the last few days. Valdéz, Pittsburgh's No.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Inside The Diamonds / June 30

Pittsburgh Pirates Notebook: Pirates Rally, Rodriguez Big Night, & More on Horwitz Injury Impact

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 43-42 record and sit 9.5 games back in the National League Central standings. In the last 24 hours, the club staged a dramatic five-run comeback.

MLB News / Field Level Media / June 29

Pirates bats stay hot, take down Phillies in series opener

Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez homered for the fourth straight game and Endy Rodriguez hit a late three-run shot as the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Philadelphia Phillies 11-7 in Monday's opener of a four-game set.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Yardbarker / June 29

Pirates getting instant spark from Esmerlyn Valdez

While the Pirates lost Spencer Horwitz, one of their best hitters this season, to a hamstring injury on June 25, rookie Esmerlyn Valdez has provided them with an instant offensive boost.

The 'Single-season HR-leaders by team' quiz