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Pirates Make Bryan Reynolds Decision Before Giants Game

May 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) smiles in the dugout before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

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Pirates Make Bryan Reynolds Decision Before Giants Game

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Dominic Campbell | Last updated May 10, 2026 2:13 PM ET

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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates head into a crucial game with the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park and have one big lineup change.

Bryan Reynolds is not in the lineup against the Giants in the series finale, as Nick Yorke will take his place in left field and hit eighth in the batting order.

This is the first time that Reynolds isn't in the Pirates lineup since an 11-7 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on April 28 and his first time not starting in left field since a 10-5 defeat to the Cardinals at home on April 30, when he was designated hitter.

Pittsburgh is taking a big risk with Reynolds not in the lineup for just the second time this campaign, especially, with a chance to win the series against San Francisco.

Why the Pirates Don't Have Reynolds in Lineup

Reynolds has played in every game this season and will likely get a chance to pinch-hit later on in this game.

Pirates manager Don Kelly likely wants to give Reynolds a break from the field and have him ready for the upcoming homestand vs. the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies, May 12-17, even with a day off tomorrow.

Reynolds has had a strong season so far, slashing .248/.395/.397 for an OPS of .792, with 35 hits in 140 at-bats, five doubles, two triples, four home runs, 23 RBI and 33 walks to 45 strikeouts.

His 33 walks are fifth-most in MLB and second-most in the National League, just behind Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood at 35 in 2026.

Reynolds would love to have shown more power this season, but having the fourth-best on-base percentage in the NL is still an impressive feat.

Yorke also gets a chance to find some consistency at the plate, as he's struggled in 2026, slashing .214/.300/.300 for an OPS of .600 in 25 games.

Overlook at the Pirates Lineup vs. the Giants

Player	Position	Batting Side
Oneil Cruz	Center Field	Left
Brandon Lowe	Second Base	Left
Nick Gonzales	Third Base	Right
Ryan O'Hearn	Right Field	Left
Marcell Ozuna	Designated Hitter	Right
Spencer Horwitz	First Base	Left
Konnor Griffin	Shortstop	Right
Nick Yorke	Left Field	Right
Henry Davis	Catcher	Right

The Pirates have made just one other change in the lineup, with Henry Davis coming in at catcher for Joey Bart and hitting ninth in the batting order.

Bart has had a great month of May and tied his career-high of four hits in the 13-3 win over the Giants on May 9.

Nick Gonzales moves up to third in the lineup, his first time hitting in that spot this season for the Pirates. He has hit as high as second in the batting order, six times in 2026.

The Pirates will still have center fielder Oneil Cruz leading off, second baseman Brandon Lowe batting second and right fielder Ryan O'Hearn batting fourth.

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, first baseman Spencer Horwitz and shortstop Konnor Griffin each move up one spot to fifth-through-seventh in the lineup, respectively.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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