Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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The Quiz of the Day

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

The 'Last 3-HR game by MLB team' quiz

The 'MLB active hit leaders' quiz

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.

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.

The 'MLB-first, all-minority lineup' quiz

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.

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.

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 .

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The 'NFL all-time passing leaders' quiz

The 'FBS animal nicknames' quiz

The 'Most lefty-homers in a season' quiz

The 'Active 150-yard NFL rushers' quiz

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 / Field Level Media / September 19

Brandon Lowe's 2-run homer lifts Pirates over Royals

Brandon Lowe launched a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to power the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Saturday.

Braxton Ashcraft News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 19

Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft Gets Good News About Injury

PITTSBURGH — Braxton Ashcraft met with reporters at PNC Park on Saturday and made one thing abundantly clear: his arm is not seriously injured. The Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / September 19

Pirates' Resting Regular Starter in Final Home Saturday Game of Season

Tonight is the Pittsburgh Pirates' final home Saturday game of the season, a penultimate weekend chance for Buccos fans to see their favorite team on the North Shore.

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

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.

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