Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Reveal Starting Pitchers Against Cardinals

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates head into their final home series with their starting pitching looking to finish the season strong. The Pirates host the St.

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Skenes cites WBC for velocity dip: 'It definitely affected the year'

Pirates ace Paul Skenes, whose season has been marked by an uncharacteristic dip in velocity, cited the World Baseball Classic as a source of his struggles this year.

Mason Montgomery News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 22

Pirates Have Star Closer For the Future

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates struggled to hold onto leads early in the season, but they haven't had that issue as of late. Left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery has taken over the Pirates' closer role and just threw his 24th consecutive scoreless appearance with his save in the 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on Sept.

Brandon Lowe News / Bucs Dugout / September 22

Upcoming free agent Brandon Lowe has interest in returning to Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe has been arguably the best player for the franchise this season. He leads the team in home runs with 33 and he leads the team with RBIs with 93.

Chicago Cubs News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most lefty-homers in a season' quiz

How many of the lefty mashers with the most home runs in a single season for each MLB franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB 30/30 Club members' quiz

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Paul Skenes News / MLB on ClutchPoints / September 22

Pirates’ Paul Skenes gets 100% real about ‘root’ of concerning velo drop

Paul Skenes has not been his typically elite self in 2026, which is a shame considering that the Pittsburgh Pirates currently have a winning record and put themselves in somewhat of a position to contend for a postseason spot.

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.

MLB News / Field Level Media / September 21

Young stars take spotlight as Cardinals meet Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin next week, but both teams have reason for optimism heading into the offseason.

Paul Skenes News / Larry Brown Sports / September 21

Paul Skenes offers an interesting theory for his struggles this season

Paul Skenes has not at all looked like himself this year, and he has an interesting theory as to why. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace pitcher Skenes spoke this week in an interview to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rafael Flores News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 21

Rafael Flores Jr. Willing to Die For Pirates Success

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates may not have much left to play for in 2026, but don't tell catcher Rafael Flores Jr. that. The Pirates catcher hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving his team a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sept.

MLB News / Yardbarker

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

The 2026 season hasn't gone as planned for many MLB players. These 30 players stand out as the biggest disappointments for their respective teams.

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The 'NFL all-time passing leaders' quiz

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Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / September 21

Paul Skenes admits World Baseball Classic affected his season

For the first time in his short three-year MLB career, the Pittsburgh Pirates ace looked like he wasn't completely dominant and overpowering hitters.

Cubs somber after Alex Bregman's scary injury

Bregman posts gnarly photo update after getting hit in face by foul ball

Extent of Bregman’s injuries from errant foul ball have been revealed

Blue Jays RHP Dylan Cease might be done for season

Dodgers have familiar Roki Sasaki spot for postseason

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 21

Oneil Cruz Places Himself Among Pirates Greats

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz hasn't had an easy season, but he's still shown why the Pittsburgh Pirates are so on high on his future. Cruz joined the 20-20 club after his solo home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park, tying the game at 1-1 in a 4-3 win in the series finale on Sept.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 21

Pirates' Words Mean Nothing After Another Missed Season

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have made strides in 2026, but they still failed of their ultimate goal. The Pirates were eliminated from the postseason this past weekend with eight games remaining in the 2026 season, ending their chances of playing for something more.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Bucs Dugout / September 21

Pirates Braxton Ashcraft injury has no structural damage

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 10, 2026, due to right arm discomfort and fatigue. He has been shut down for the rest of the season.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 20

Pirates vs. Royals Takeaways: Oneil Cruz Shows What Could've Been

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates relied on their best players against the Kansas City Royals, and it was exactly what they needed. The Pirates swept the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park, 8-5 in the series opener on Sept.

Rafael Flores News / Field Level Media / September 20

Rafael Flores Jr. drills go-ahead HR as Pirates sweep Royals

Rafael Flores Jr. belted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, lifting the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 20

Pirates Remain Confident for 2027, Despite Playoff Elimination

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't reach their ultimate goal of postseason baseball in 2026, but there is still much to learn before it ends. The Pirates saw themselves eliminated from the final National League Wild Card spot after the San Diego Padres defeated the Miami Marlins 8-2 at Petco Park on Sept.

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 20

Pirates' Oneil Cruz Made Incredible Adjustment This Season

PITTSBURGH — The scouting report on Pittsburgh Pirates star Oneil Cruz for years was simple. The light-tower power was undeniable. The speed was game-changing .

Ronny Simon News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 20

Pirates' Utility Man's First Homer a Long Time Coming

PITTSBURGH— The baseball left Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Ronny Simon’s bat at 104.7 mph, a line drive that kept going until it disappeared into the left-field corner.

Brandon Lowe News / Field Level Media / September 20

Pirates' Brandon Lowe takes HR barrage into finale vs. Royals

The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon behind Brandon Lowe, who has homered in four of his last five games.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 19

Pirates, Brandon Lowe Have Mutual Interest In New Deal

Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe has thrived this year, but it could go down as his only season with the franchise. While Lowe is on track to become a free agent in the offseason, he and the Pirates have mutual interest in a new deal, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Brandon Lowe News / Athlon Sports / September 16

Brandon Lowe Makes Franchise History During First Year With Pirates

Brandon Lowe made Pittsburgh Pirates history Tuesday night, reaching 30 home runs in his first season with the club. Lowe hit his milestone homer against the Milwaukee Brewers, sending a ball off the right-field foul pole at PNC Park.

Oneil Cruz News / EssentiallySports / September 15

Pirates’ 27YO Star’s Alleged Deal Surfaced as Report Reveals a Settlement of $66,000 Paid to Victims’ Families

An automobile accident on a dark, four-lane highway in the Dominican Republic back in September 2020 almost derailed the then-Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect Oneil Cruz’s career.

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.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 12