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Pirates' Paul Skenes News Emerges Amid Spring Training

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 2:29 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates had an eventful offseason, finally opening up their payroll flexibility and adding much‑needed help to a lineup that struggled badly in 2025.

Several key offensive players joined the mix, including second baseman Brandon Lowe via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, along with outfielder Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn in free agency.

Pittsburgh also has an exciting young prospect in shortstop Konnor Griffin. He could factor into the team’s future. With the offense expected to improve, the Pirates’ overall outlook looks better heading into 2026, especially if their pitching staff stays intact.

That group remains the team’s greatest strength, and no one on the roster is more impactful than Paul Skenes, who is coming off a dominant 2025 season that earned him his first National League Cy Young Award.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Skenes has arrived at spring training as he prepares for his third MLB season, but he will soon leave camp. The World Baseball Classic begins in a week, and Skenes is set to take the ball for Team USA in what will be his first appearance in the international tournament.

On Wednesday, Pirates manager Don Kelly announced an update on the plan for Skenes over the next few weeks.

Kelly shared that Skenes will make his first spring training start against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, with the expectation that he will throw three innings. It turned out Skenes pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing a run and a hit while striking out four and walking four.

Kelly also noted it would be Skenes’ only Grapefruit League start before he departs to join Team USA (h/t Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

This is important because the Pirates want to manage Skenes’ workload carefully while still ensuring he is fully ramped up for Opening Day. He already made one simulated start this spring, and the team believes this combination of controlled work in camp and competitive innings in the WBC will keep him on schedule without overextending him.

Pirates manager Don Kelly says Paul Skenes’ start today against the Braves will be Skenes’ last spring training start before he leaves to join Team USA.

Skenes had three “ups” in his last simulated game. The hope is for him to throw at least three innings today, Kelly said.
— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) February 25, 2026

Skenes remains the face of the franchise, and when he returns from the WBC, expectations will once again be sky‑high. He opened his career by starting the All‑Star Game in back‑to‑back seasons, won NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and followed it with a Cy Young campaign in 2025.

Last season, he posted a 1.97 ERA across 32 starts with 216 strikeouts in 187 2/3 innings, showcasing a devastating pitch mix that overwhelmed hitters.

He has never struggled in Pittsburgh since being drafted first overall in 2023, and although his name briefly surfaced in trade rumors, the Pirates spent this offseason addressing weaknesses rather than trading away talent.

With a stronger lineup behind him, Skenes enters 2026 positioned to lead the Pirates toward meaningful improvement.

The WBC begins March 4. The United States opens play on March 6 against Brazil in Houston.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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