Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates post 12 runs, 15 hits in Cubs' 10th straight loss

Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez hit his second career home run and Oneil Cruz had the first of his three hits to highlight a five-run first inning, putting the host Pittsburgh Pirates on course to a 12-1 victory over the reeling Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez Crushes First PNC Park Home Run

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez has only just begun his major league career, but he's quickly showing he's ready for the challenge.

Spencer Horwitz News / Bucs Dugout / May 26

Why Spencer Horwitz is the Pirates most underrated hitter

Much has been made of the Pirates’ new-look offense in 2026. After posting one of the worst offensive seasons in franchise history last year, the Pirates have blossomed into one of the best lineups in the sport.

New York Yankees News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'ERA leaders since 2003' quiz

How many ERA leaders from both leagues since the 2003 season can you name in five minutes?

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in MLB history

Not every all-timer has instant success at the next level. For many baseball players, it takes a few bumps in the road out of the gate before they ever reach stardom.

Konnor Griffin News / Athlon Sports / May 26

Pirates Make Bold Konnor Griffin Decision Ahead of Cubs Game

Konnor Griffin has completely revitalized the Pittsburgh Pirates' offense since making his debut on April 3. Now, the Pirates are making a major change to their lineup.

Jared Jones News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 26

Pirates Starter Sticking to Plan Despite Jared Jones Return

PITTSBURGH — Jared Jones will make his return to the the Pittsburgh Pirates in the near future, which will impact how the pitching staff operates moving forward.

Bryan Reynolds News / HITC / May 26

The real reason behind Bryan Reynolds’ strange season for the Pittsburgh Pirates

The simplest explanation for Bryan Reynolds’ unusual start is the one Pirates fans keep returning to: something must be wrong physically. The evidence does not really back that up.

Brandon Lowe News / Athlon Sports / May 26

Pirates' Brandon Lowe Acquisition Paying Great Dividends

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the offseason needing to upgrade an offense that finished last in MLB in runs scored with 583. That lack of production translated to just 3.6 runs per game in 2025, also the worst mark in baseball.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 26

Pirates Slugger Making Good Progress During Injury Rehab

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have missed a key part of their lineup over the past week, but they may have him return sooner than they thought. Pirates

MLB News / Yardbarker

Which 20 players have hit four home runs in an MLB game?

The only two things rarer in modern-day baseball than the four-homer game is the Triple Crown and the unassisted triple play. The former is, of course, done over an entire season, while there's a large level of lucky in the unassisted triple play.

Henry Davis News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 26

Henry Davis Trusts the Process, And It's Working With Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates needed just about anyone to go up to the plate and deliver for them in their most recent game and they received that from an unlikely source.

Houston Astros News / Yardbarker / May 25

Trio of Astros pitchers combine to make history in win over Rangers

In making the 2026 Memorial Day holiday a memorable one, the Houston Astros put together an historic performance in a win over their in-state rival, the Texas Rangers, on Monday night.

Rangers offense reaches rock bottom in no-hit loss to Astros

Jacob Misiorowski dominates again as Brewers continue hot stretch

Guardians' Tanner Bibee ties record for home runs given up in a game

White Sox back above .500 as Rikuu Nishida shines in MLB debut

Dodgers' Roki Sasaki has turned a corner over his last four starts

Red Sox's Garrett Crochet progressing well after injury

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

The '3 3-pointer, 3-block Playoff games' quiz

The 'Most 30-point playoff games by team' quiz

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

The 'ERA leaders since 2003' quiz

Wilber Dotel News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 25

Pirates Rookie Pitcher Shows No Fear Against Cubs

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a young team, but that doesn't mean they're afraid of what they will face in the major leagues. Rookie right-handed

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB on ClutchPoints / May 25

Pirates’ Don Kelly not thrilled after this Konnor Griffin hit-by-pitch goes uncalled

Don Kelly made sure everyone in the ballpark knew exactly how he felt. The Pittsburgh Pirates manager was ejected Monday after umpires reviewed a play

Henry Davis News / Field Level Media / May 25

Henry Davis' homer helps Pirates send Cubs to ninth straight loss

Henry Davis blasted a solo, go-ahead home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday afternoon.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / The Lead / May 25

The Pirates’ Bullpen Is a Major Issue Costing Them Wins

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been at the bottom of baseball’s standings for years. The 2026 season has proven to be different. The Pirates have been at or over .500 since the beginning of April.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 25

Pirates Make More Outfield Changes Before Cubs Series

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates still haven't settled on an outfield and once again made changes for their next game. The Pirates have an entirely new outfield ahead of their series opener vs.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Inside The Diamonds / May 25

Pittsburgh Pirates Notes: Valdez Connects, Sterling Dazzles & Cubs Come to PNC Park

The Pirates currently hold a 27-26 record following a successful series finale in Toronto. Pittsburgh avoided a three-game sweep on Sunday. They powered past the Blue Jays with a trio of home runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / May 25

Esmerlyn Valdez Makes Pirates' Marcell Ozuna Expendable

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates salvaged their trip north of the border, winning the final game of their series against the Toronto Blue Jays. As has been the case recently, the offense came alive, propelling the team to victory.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Field Level Media / May 24

Esmerlyn Valdez homers for first MLB hit, helping Pirates top Jays

Esmerlyn Valdez stroked a two-run homer for his first career major league hit Sunday afternoon and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Inside The Diamonds / May 24

Pittsburgh Pirates Notes: Skenes Struggles, Jones Continues Road Back

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 26-26 record. This follows a series-clinching 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday afternoon. In the last 24 hours, Paul Skenes had a difficult road start.

Seth Hernandez News / Inside The Diamonds / May 23

Pittsburgh Pirates Notes: Seth Hernandez Struggles, Gray goes Deep Twice

The Pirates currently hold a 26-25 record and sit 5.5 games back in the National League Central standings. Over the last 24 hours, the team’s defensive errors overshadowed a career-best pitching performance.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Athlon Sports / May 23

Braxton Ashcraft Fantasy Baseball 2026: The Fifth Pitch That Changes Everything

Everyone was watching Paul Skenes. Braxton Ashcraft snuck in the back door. While the Pirates' marquee arm has absorbed the national spotlight that comes with being one of baseball’s most discussed pitching prospects, his rotation-mate has been quietly building one of the more compelling breakout cases in fantasy baseball.

Konnor Griffin News / Just Baseball / May 22

Konnor Griffin Is Evolving Before Our Very Eyes

Before this year’s home opener at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, the Pirates made the move their fanbase had been anxiously awaiting ever since spring training: Konnor Griffin was on his way to the show for his major league debut in front of a sold-out crowd that would immediately embrace him.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / MLB Trade Rumors / May 21

Pirates To Promote Esmerlyn Valdez

The Pirates are going to promote first base/outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR. Fellow outfielder Billy Cook will be optioned as the corresponding active roster move, per DK Pittsburgh Sports.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / May 18

Password accepted: Pirates call up outfielder in wake of Ryan O’Hearn injury

The Pittsburgh Pirates found themselves in need of another outfielder following a weekend sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies. Right fielder Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn to miss time due to injury

The Brandon Lowe acquisition is paying off for the Pirates

Bryce Harper offers high praise of Pirates star Paul Skenes