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Pirates Rookie Not Starting in Brewers Series Finale

Jul 11, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) circles the bases on a grand slam home run to record his second home run of the game against the Milwaukee Brewers during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Pirates Rookie Not Starting in Brewers Series Finale

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Dominic Campbell | Last updated Aug 6, 2026 12:46 PM ET

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MILWAUKEE — The Pittsburgh Pirates made some changes to their lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers, including sitting one of their rookies.

The Pirates don't have Esmerlyn Valdez in the lineup in the series finale vs. the Brewers at American Family Field on Aug. 6.

Valdez had started the past 33 games in right field for the Pirates since June 28 and had been one of the best hitters.

It's a much needed day of rest for Valdez and one that the Pirates hope will get him back on track.

Why Valdez isn't Starting vs. the Brewers

The Pirates are trying to find time off for all of their main starters, as they are in the midst of 17 games in 17 days, with this the 14th game of that stretch.

Valdez hasn't been out of the lineup since late June and for good reason, as he hit .261/.396/.600 for an OPS of .996 in those 33 games, with 30 hits, seven doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 26 walks to 50 strikeouts.

The Pirates rookie has 14 home runs this season and has been one of the better power hitters at this point of his career compared to almost all rookies in MLB history.

Valdez is in the midst of a slump, with just two hits in his past 30 at-bats over his last 10 games, slashing .067/.293/.133 for an OPS of .426, with his saving grace nine walks to 14 strikeouts.

Pittsburgh has struggled since the All-Star break, going 7-12 and is two games below .500, 57-59, for the first time since March 30, with the offense faltering, as a whole.

They will hope that this rest day for Valdez has him ready to go and crushing balls once again, as they have a series vs. the New York Mets at PNC Park this weekend, Aug. 7-9.

How Pirates Lineup Looks vs. Brewers

Player	Position	Batting Side
Jake Mangum	Center Field	Switch
Brandon Lowe	Second Base	Left
Bryan Reynolds	Left Field	Switch
Endy Rodríguez	Designated Hitter	Switch
Spencer Horwitz	Catcher	Left
Nick Gonzales	Third Base	Right
Ronny Simon	Right Field	Switch
Jacob Gonzalez	Shortstop	Left
Henry Davis	Catcher	Right

Ronny Simon will take over for Valdez in right field and bat seventh for the Pirates, marking his first major league start this season.

The Pirates brought Simon up for the first time and he made his season debut in the 4-2 loss to the Brewers on Aug. 5, where he worked a walk and came in as a substitute in left field.

Endy Rodríguez makes his first start at designated hitter this season and will bat fourth for the Pirates, the highest in the order he's hit this season, as he's hit just as high as sixth.

This marks just the second-ever start for Rodríguez at designated hitter, last doing so in a 4-2 extra innings win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 1, 2023.

Rodríguez has been the Pirates' best hitter this series vs. the Brewers, as he hit a solo home run in the 4-2 loss on Aug. 4 and then a two-run home run in the last game, his first ever home run off a left-handed pitcher.

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

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