Pittsburgh Pirates News

Andrew Heaney • SP • Pirates

Andrew Heaney Blanks The Nationals For Series Sweep

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Andrew Heaney had a nice bounce-back outing on Thursday to help sweep the visiting Washington Nationals at PNC Park, tossing 7 1/3 scoreless innings with five hits allowed, two walks and four strikeouts to win his first game of the season in a 1-0 ball game. It wasn't an eye-popping stat line when all was said and done, but Heaney induced a lot of weak contact and was efficient while throwing 95 pitches. The 33-year-old southpaw let up four earned runs in six innings in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds his last time out, but outside of that outing he's been strong in his first season in Pittsburgh. Heaney's strong effort on Thursday lowered his season ERA to 2.13 with 22 strikeouts and six walks in his first 25 1/3 innings pitched. While he shouldn't be counted on as a big strikeout guy, Heaney can continue to be a productive fantasy streamer in the right matchups.

10 hours ago

David Bednar • RP • Pirates

David Bednar Looking Good In The Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever David Bednar had another scoreless outing and picked up his third hold in his appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday night, tossing a shutout inning with one hit allowed, no walks and two strikeouts. After allowing four runs (three earned) and four hits in just one inning of work for the Pirates to start the year before being demoted to the minors, the 30-year-old veteran has now posted five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and no walks for Indy. Bednar had a rough 2024 campaign, too, posting a bloated 5.77 ERA (4.80 FIP), a 1.42 WHIP, 23 saves, 58 strikeouts and 28 walks in 57 2/3 innings pitched. He appears to be regaining confidence in the minors, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to regain the closer's role in Pittsburgh from Dennis Santana whenever he rejoins the big-league roster.

15 hours ago

Bryan Reynolds • LF • Pirates

Bryan Reynolds Making His Return To The Field

After starting the 2025 season as the regular designated hitter due to right-triceps soreness, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds is making his first start in right field and will hit second in Thursday's series finale against the Washington Nationals and right-hander Trevor Williams. With Reynolds feeling good enough to return to the field, it should open up more at-bats for veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen at DH moving forward. Fantasy managers will certainly be hoping that the Reynolds returning to the outfield means that he's getting healthier. His sore triceps might have played a big part in his underwhelming start to the season, as he enters Thursday's contest with a .203/.268/.338 slash line, two home runs, eight RBI and seven runs scored in his first 74 at-bats. The 30-year-old switch-hitter has hit .250 in eight career at-bats against Williams.

19 hours ago

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Back In The Lineup Against Nationals

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) is back behind the plate and catching left-hander Andrew Heaney and will bat cleanup in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Washington Nationals and right-hander Trevor Williams at PNC Park. Bart will return to action after missing the last five games due to lower-back soreness. With the 28-year-old backstop returning, Henry Davis will head to the bench. As long as his back injury doesn't bother him again, Bart will move forward as the Bucs' primary catcher, especially after starting the season strong at the plate. Before tweaking his back, Bart had gone 11-for-40 (.275) with a home run, five RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base. The former first-rounder has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Williams.

19 hours ago

Bailey Falter • SP • Pirates

Bailey Falter Tosses Gem Against Nationals

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter was excellent on Wednesday, pitching seven shutout innings and picking up his first win of the season in a 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. Falter allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out two. While it was a good start, the advanced metrics don't really back it up. The 27-year-old lefty hasn't been awful this year, but he hasn't been good either. He has a 4.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 22 IP. This start is likely just an aberration, and Falter doesn't need to be added anywhere outside the deepest leagues.

Yesterday

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Blasts Grand Slam

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz went 2-for-4 with a single and a grand slam in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals. It was his third home run of the season, and his slash line now sits at .222/.343/.426. The batting average has been disappointing so far this season, but Cruz has been a star on the base paths. He has eight stolen bases in 15 games played, which would put him at a pace of over 80 in a full season. That might be asking for a lot, but it's safe to say that he's trending towards blowing past his 22 steals from 2024.

Yesterday

Brett Sullivan • C • Pirates

Pirates Acquire Brett Sullivan From San Diego

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired catcher Brett Sullivan from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Bryce Johnson and cash considerations. Sullivan will provide some much-needed catching depth in the Steel City with Endy Rodriguez (finger) on the 10-day injured list and Joey Bart (back) battling an injury. Last season, Sullivan appeared in seven games for the Padres. Across this brief stint, he held a .188 AVG. Sullivan made his MLB debut during the 2023 season with San Diego and held a .210/.244/.284 slash line across 33 contests. Across 375 contests at the Triple-A level, Sullivan has posted a .271/.342/.449 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect Sullivan to begin his tenure with the Pirates at Triple-A, but he should push for a return to the majors.

Yesterday

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Remains Out Versus Nationals

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Washington Nationals at PNC Park. It's the fifth straight missed game after he came down with lower-back soreness late last week. With Endy Rodriguez (finger) landing on the injured list on Tuesday, Henry Davis will make another start behind the plate to catch left-hander Bailey Falter while batting ninth against Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker. The Bucs finish their series with the Nats on Thursday, but if Bart isn't ready for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the Cleveland Guardians, he may land on the injured list. Davis, the former first overall pick in 2021 out of Louisville, has struggled to find his footing offensively in the big leagues and has gone 2-for-13 so far in 2025. He'll be a poor DFS play on Wednesday and has never faced Parker in his career.

Yesterday

Endy Rodríguez • C • Pirates

Endy Rodriguez Lands On Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Endy Rodriguez (finger) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after he exited Monday's contest against the Washington Nationals with a right index-finger laceration that required stitches, sources told MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled right-hander Chase Shugart from the minors. Shugart threw 3 2/3 scoreless relief innings for the Bucs in his first stint with the team. With Rodriguez now on the IL and Joey Bart still nursing a back injury, Henry Davis got the start behind the dish on Tuesday and went 1-for-3 in the 3-0 loss. The fact that the Pirates didn't call up an additional catcher suggests that Bart is getting close to a return. The 24-year-old switch-hitting Rodriguez started the year 8-for-45 (.178) with no home runs, three doubles and two RBI and will be a backup catcher/first baseman when he returns from the IL.

2 days ago

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Will Go Through Testing

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) is set to undergo testing before Tuesday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds. Bart has been held out of the starting nine since being removed from Friday's contest with a back injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he may need to be placed on the injured list if he has not made any progress. As a result, Henry Davis will get another start behind the dish and bat ninth. Through his first 11 games of the campaign, Bart was productive at the plate, holding a .282/.378/.436 slash line with one double and one home run. He held a 4:14 BB:K and swiped one bag. Last summer, Bart enjoyed similar success in Pittsburgh, posting a .265/.337/.462 slash line with 13 home runs across 80 games. Fantasy managers in two-catcher formats should continue to stash Bart on their roster while he remains sidelined.

2 days ago

Endy Rodríguez • C • Pirates

Endy Rodriguez Removed Early On Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (finger) was forced to exit early during Monday's game against the Washington Nationals. Rodriguez was removed after being hit in the wrist by a deflected ball. Ouch, the Pirates can't afford to lose another catcher with Joey Bart (back) injured as well. The team is calling Rodriguez day-to-day with a right index finger laceration. Henry Davis took over behind the plate on Monday and figures to see more playing time with the team shorthanded at catcher. It doesn't sound like Rodriguez or Bart will require a trip to the injured list.

3 days ago

Jared Triolo • 3B • Pirates

Jared Triolo To Start Rehab Assignment

Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glove utility infielder Jared Triolo (back), who has been out since April 7 with a lumbar spine strain, will head to Triple-A Indianapolis for a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Kevin Gorman. Triolo took ground balls on Monday at PNC Park before the game against the Washington Nationals and didn't have any issues. The 27-year-old is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, but that might not happen until later this week or weekend after he plays in a few rehab games on the farm. Triolo is more useful to the Bucs for his glove and not his bat, limiting his fantasy appeal to primarily NL-only leagues as infield depth. He went 1-for-17 at the plate with a walk and five stolen bases in six games for Pittsburgh to begin his third MLB season before landing on the IL.

3 days ago

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Remains Absent On Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) is still on the bench for Monday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Endy Rodriguez will do the catching for right-hander Paul Skenes and will bat sixth versus Nationals right-hander Brad Lord. While Bart hasn't played since being pulled from Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds with lower-back discomfort, he's expected to be available off the bench on Monday. It's good news and means that the 28-year-old should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list. Henry Davis started behind the dish the last two games with Bart out, but the Bucs will give Rodriguez a shot on Monday. When healthy, Bart should be Pittsburgh's primary catcher after starting the year hitting .275 (11-for-40) with a homer, five RBI and four runs scored. Rodriguez will be a low-upside DFS play with just eight hits and no homers in his first 45 at-bats in 2025.

3 days ago

Ke'Bryan Hayes • 3B • Pirates |

Jack Suwinski • CF • Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes, Jack Suwinski On The Bench On Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and outfielder Jack Suwinski will start Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds on the bench. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at third base and hit seventh against Reds right-hander Hunter Greene. Oneil Cruz (finger) is back in center field for the series finale. Adam Frazier is starting in left field and batting sixth and Alexander Canario is in right field and in the five-hole. Bryan has gotten off to another slow start in 2025, going 11-for-52 (.212) with a homer, five RBI, two steals and 10 strikeouts in his first 15 games. The 28-year-old went hitless in six at-bats with three K's in the first two games of the series against Cincy. Canario and Frazier have never faced Greene, while Kiner-Falefa is hitless in just two career at-bats against him. Neither player will be all that attractive as a DFS sleeper.

4 days ago

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Out Again Versus Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Henry Davis, who was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, is making the start behind the plate. He will catch right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski and bat ninth against Reds right-hander Hunter Greene. Bart is battling lower-back discomfort, and it remains to be seen if he'll be ready to return for Monday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. Davis went hitless in three appearances on Saturday against Cincinnati and just hasn't been able to put it all together offensively in his 100 big-league games since his debut in 2023, as he's slashed .190/.280/.304 with a .585 OPS. He has never faced Greene in his big-league career.

4 days ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Back For Sunday's Series Finale

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (finger) is returning to center field and will bat third for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Hunter Greene. Cruz was hit by a pitch on his finger on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals and was forced to miss the next three games. The 26-year-old is feeling better now, though, and will return in the series finale. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups, as he's hit .333 with a 1.302 OPS, two home runs and two RBI in 12 career at-bats against Greene. Cruz is hitting .211 (8-for-38) in his first 12 games in 2025, but he's added two home runs, a double, five RBI, seven stolen bases and five runs scored in 50 plate appearances.

4 days ago

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Out Of The Lineup On Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Bart will take a seat here after being forced to exit early during Friday's game due to lower back discomfort. For now, fantasy managers can consider Bart as day-to-day, but it wouldn't be shocking if he's forced to land on the injured list. Henry Davis will start behind the plate and bat ninth versus left-hander Andrew Abbott. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday for another update on Bart.

5 days ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz To Miss Third Straight Game

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (finger) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Cruz injured his finger earlier in the week when he was hit by a pitch on the hand. He's being considered as day-to-day, but will miss his third straight game on Saturday. Hopefully, Cruz can return soon and avoid a trip to the injured list. Alexander Canario will cover center field and bat sixth versus left-hander Andrew Abbott. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Sunday.

5 days ago

Henry Davis • C • Pirates

Pirates Calling Up Henry Davis

The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up catcher/outfielder Henry Davis on Saturday, sources tell MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. Davis, the first overall pick back in 2021, had a strong spring and was hitting .286 with three doubles in eight games played at Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season. There's no word on a corresponding move, but catcher Joey Bart (back) did leave Friday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds with lower-back discomfort, so it's possible he will land on the injured list. If Davis does go on the IL this weekend, Davis and Endy Rodriguez will be options for Pittsburgh at catcher going forward. The 25-year-old Davis got off to a nice start offensively in the minors this year, but the Louisville product hasn't been able to put it all together yet at the major-league level in 99 games the last two years, slashing .191/.283/.307 with a .590 OPS, eight home runs, 29 RBI and 114 strikeouts in 377 plate appearances.

5 days ago

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Exits With Back Issue

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (back) was removed early during Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Bart was pulled out of the contest due to lower back soreness. Endy Rodriguez took over behind the plate for the rest of the game. The team has already said Bart is considered day-to-day, so it doesn't appear to be a serious injury. Possibly, Bart is forced to miss a game or two, which would mean more playing time for Rodriguez behind the plate. This doesn't sound like something that is going to force Bart to land on the injured list.

6 days ago

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