Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Oneil Cruz’s Injury is Saving Him From Breaking the Strikeout Record

Prior to injuring his hand, Oneil Cruz had been playing the best baseball of his career. Cruz is batting .264 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs. The home run hitter has been a consistent force for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he is struggling in one spot: strikeouts.

Paul Skenes News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 3

Pirates rumors: Paul Skenes will absolutely love Pittsburgh’s trade deadline plans

With Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes underperforming in his last start in the 10-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, fans are wondering what the team will do to build around him.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 3

Pirates Can't Keep Surging Esmerlyn Valdez Out of Lineup

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the best hitting teams in baseball and one rookie is playing a big role in their recent sucess. Esmerlyn Valdez has been on a hot streak, which started in the series vs.

Kyle Schwarber News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / July 3

MLB.com projects Pirates drafting high school outfielder

The 2026 MLB Draft is a week away and MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo has released his latest mock draft as draft day nears. The Pittsburgh Pirates are sitting near the top with the fifth overall pick, and Mayo projects that they’ll take one of the top high school players with that selection.

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.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Athlon Sports / July 3

Pirates Reportedly Eyeing Key Addition Before Trade Deadline

Under manager Don Kelly, the Pittsburgh Pirates are far behind in the National League, sitting 10.5 games back from the Milwaukee Brewers. However, at 44-44, their postseason hopes may ride on a wild-card spot, which they are three games back from.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 3

Pirates New Veterans See Similarities to Playoff Teams

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a few additions this offseason, looking for players who would bring winning baseball to the franchise and had experience doing so.

MLB News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 3

Pirates Stay in NL Wild Card Race After Phillies Series

PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't quite where they want to be, but they did show they can be competitive with other playoff-bound teams The Pirates split a four-game road series with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, one of their biggest opponents in the National League Wild Card race.

MLB News / Yardbarker / July 2

Breakout performance from surprising rookie helping to drive Pirates offense

The Pittsburgh Pirates are still hovering around the .500 mark and on the fringes of playoff contention thanks to this surprising rookie.

Something is wrong with Pirates ace Paul Skenes

Justin Crawford's in-season adjustments paying dividends

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

Why Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski may not pitch in MLB All-Star Game

MLB News / Yardbarker / July 2

Why Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski may not pitch in MLB All-Star Game

Sure, MLB fans want to see Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski pitch in the All-Star Game. But that's unlikely to happen.

Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski doesn't expect to pitch in All-Star Game

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

William Contreras Looks Better Than Ever

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

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / July 2

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.

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.

Paul Skenes News / Inside The Diamonds / July 2

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.

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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.

Paul Skenes News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 2

Pirates reporter reveals 1 specific Paul Skenes ‘concerning’ red flag amid underperformance

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reason to study Paul Skenes after his latest difficult start raised questions about the reigning NL Cy Young winner’s velocity and mechanics.

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.

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.

Aaron Ashby 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

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