Pittsburgh Pirates News

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Gregory Soto • RP • Pirates

Gregory Soto a Must-Add Closer to Target on the Waiver Wire

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has emerged as his team's best relief option so far in 2026, pitching to a 2.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and six saves across 25 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old owns a 32% strikeout rate, and his 2.15 xERA and 2.55 FIP back up his strong results to open the year. Soto appears to have taken full control of the closer role in Pittsburgh, as he's logged five saves since the start of May. The veteran lefty also has prior experience as a closer, having racked up 48 saves over two seasons with the Detroit Tigers in 2021 and 2022. Given his performance so far and his clear runway to hold the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh for the remainder of 2026, Soto profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers across all league sizes.

10 hours ago

Jared Jones • SP • Pirates |

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Is Jared Jones a Must-Add off the Waiver-Wire Ahead of his Season Debut?

Jared Jones (elbow), a 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will make his season debut Friday at home against the Minnesota Twins, which will be Jones' first start at the big-league level since he underwent UCL surgery last May. Through five rehab starts this season, Jones has dominated the MiLB with a 2.89 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He also had an outstanding 32.9 percent strikeout rate and a 15.5 percent SwStr rate. Jones has demonstrated elite bat-missing upside in the past. During his first turn with the Pirates back in 2024, he started 22 games and posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings. His arsenal is led by an elite four-seamer that averages 97.3 mph and a great slider that generated a 37.3 percent whiff rate in 2024. Jones, if available on your waiver wire, is a must-add starting pitcher in leagues of 12 teams or more, simply based on his swing and miss upside alone. He has the ability to be a strong contributor in all the important starting pitcher categories.

12 hours ago

Nick Gonzales • 3B • Pirates

Nick Gonzales Exits Early with Knee Discomfort

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Gonzalez was seen limping out of the box during his at-bat in the second inning. He was removed shortly after that, with Tyler Callihan replacing him at third base. Gonzales was hitless in his lone at-bat of the game. He fouled a ball off his knee on Wednesday, so he could've aggravated that issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Gonzales as day-to-day with left knee discomfort. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins for another update on his status.

23 hours ago

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin is Dealing with Forearm Soreness

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) wasn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Griffin sat out of Thursday's contest due to right forearm soreness. This sounds like a day-to-day type of issue, so it remains to be seen if Griffin will suit up for Friday's game versus the Minnesota Twins. Jared Triolo received the start at shortstop on Thursday. He could see a few starts over there until Griffin is ready to play again. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status ahead of Friday's game.

23 hours ago

Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez Optioned to Triple-A

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. He'll head back to the minor leagues after playing only five games in the big leagues. During that span, Valdez went 2-for-16 with two home runs, five RBI, and struck out nine times. The Pirates likely want to see his strikeout rate improve, and Valdez should work on that in an everyday role at Triple-A. In a corresponding move, infielder Tyler Callihan has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster. Valdez is likely to be back at some point, but isn't someone worth holding in redraft formats.

23 hours ago

Carmen Mlodzinski • SP • Pirates

Carmen Mlodzinski Being Moved to the Bullpen

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly said that right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will move to the bullpen this weekend with right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list on Friday to make his season debut against the Minnesota Twins, according to Pirates insider Jason Mackey. Mlodzinski hasn't been bad this year, but he'll provide the Pirates with a valuable multi-inning arm out of the bullpen now that Jones is back. The 27-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina has gone 4-3 in 2026 with a decent 3.76 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 55 innings across his 11 appearances (nine starts) for the Bucs in his fourth year in the league. Mlodzinski will now lose whatever little fantasy appeal he had in NL-only leagues with the move to the Pirates' bullpen. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues, and that number will now most likely dip below 10% with the news of his demotion to the 'pen.

Yesterday

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones Making Season Debut on Friday, a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target?

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday that right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) will come off the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the visiting Minnesota Twins at PNC Park. Jones missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow last May, but he had a nice 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings over his five minor-league rehab starts and is definitely worth a pickup off the waiver wire in mixed leagues now that he's on the cusp of his season debut for Pittsburgh. In his final rehab tune-up on the farm, Jones went 4 1/3 innings and got up to 76 pitches, so he might not have any restrictions on Friday from a pitch-count perspective. However, the Pirates will most likely be looking to limit the 24-year-old's overall workload the rest of the way in 2026 after he missed all of last year. The former second-rounder in 2020 went 6-8 in his rookie season in 2024 with a 4.14 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 132 K's and 39 walks across 22 starts and 121 2/3 innings pitched. Jones' return is a big boost for the Pirates' rotation going forward.

Yesterday

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Now is the Time to Buy Low on Rookie Konnor Griffin

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin was the talk of spring training as one of the best prospects since Ken Griffey Jr. That's a lot of hype to live up to. The 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft hasn't really lived up to the hype through his first 49 games with Pittsburgh, hitting .261/.322/.394 with a .716 OPS, four home runs, eight doubles, two triples, 21 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 29 runs scored across 199 plate appearances. Griffin hasn't been terrible, either, and his buy-low window in both redraft and dynasty leagues could be about to slam shut. He went 1-for-4 at the plate with a home run, his first since May 10, in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. In his last 13 games, he has hit .275 with 13 runs scored and three stolen bases, and it might only be a matter of time before Griffin puts it all together in 2026. In 23 games in May, Griffing is batting .292 (26-for-89) with two homers, six doubles, a triple, eight RBI, five steals, and 19 runs scored in 99 plate appearances. The kid can do it all, and he'll probably never be cheaper as a trade chip in fantasy baseball.

Yesterday

Ryan O'Hearn • RF • Pirates

Ryan O'Hearn Deserving of a Stash While on Injured List?

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) has been on the 10-day injured list since May 17 with a quadriceps injury, but he resumed working out on Monday and is worth a look as a stash candidate off the waiver wire with a potential return to the Bucs by the middle of June. The 32-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran has been solid so far in his first season in Pittsburgh, slashing .289/.368/.459 with an .827 OPS, seven home runs, 29 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a stolen base across 44 games and 182 plate appearances. O'Hearn doesn't offer significant power or run production, but it's worth noting that he could continue to play regularly in the Steel City once healthy if he can maintain his gains against same-handed pitching. Through 50 plate appearances against lefties in 2026, O'Hearn has gone 13-for-47 (.277) with one of his seven home runs and a .300 on-base percentage. He's also eligible at first base, in addition to outfield, in Yahoo leagues. For at least outfield depth in deeper mixed leagues, O'Hearn is a stash candidate and is rostered in 58% of leagues.

2 days ago

Jhostynxon Garcia • RF • Pirates

Jhostynxon Garcia a Priority Addition with Power Potential?

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia was promoted to the majors last week, and he's an encouraging waiver wire target given his potential to launch home runs. Garcia has yet to homer through 27 MLB at-bats (between 2025 with the Red Sox and 2026 with the Pirates), but he launched 21 homers across 114 minor league games last year, and he had slugged another six this year. Strikeouts are a major concern for the 23-year-old, who owns a 28.6% K% in the majors in 2026. However, as he starts to get more comfortable against MLB pitching, his strikeout rate should go down and his home run rate should go up. There's above-average power potential here, so managers should consider making him a priority addition on the waiver wire. At the moment, he's still available in 98% of fantasy baseball leagues.

3 days ago

Ryan O'Hearn • RF • Pirates

Ryan O'Hearn Does Agility Drills on Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) left the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 16 after the third inning because of right-quad discomfort and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day with a right-quad muscle strain. O'Hearn worked in the outfield on Monday with agility/cone drills, according to MLB.com. Barring a setback once he starts ramping up more, O'Hearn is expected to come off the IL at some point in mid-June. Monday was the first activity that the 32-year-old veteran has done since injuring his quad. In his first year in the Steel City, O'Hearn has hit .289/.368/.459 with an .827 OPS, seven home runs, 29 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a stolen base across 44 games and 182 plate appearances. Although he has just one home run against left-handers, he's gone a very respectable 13-for-47 (.277) against them with a .300 on-base percentage. O'Hearn is currently rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues. In his absence, the Bucs have been mixing and matching in right field with Esmerlyn Valdez, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Jake Mangum.

3 days ago

Gregory Soto • RP • Pirates

Gregory Soto Locks Down Fifth Save, Remains Priority Option on the Waiver Wire

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto recorded his fifth save of the season Sunday, tossing a scoreless inning in a win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Soto worked around one walk and one hit batter while striking out one during another effective ninth-inning appearance. The veteran reliever has now collected four saves across his last seven outings and continues to strengthen his grip on the Pirates' closer role. Soto owns a 2.22 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP through 24 innings this season while piling up 30 strikeouts. His 32.6 K percent ranks in the 95th percentile, highlighting the swing-and-miss ability that has fueled his success in late innings. Fantasy managers searching for saves should continue viewing Soto as one of the top waiver wire bullpen options available.

4 days ago

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones an Elite Injury Stash Target for Upside

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) is an elite injury stash target for upside, even though he's still on the 60-day injured list. According to general manager Ben Cherington, Jones will meet with the team back in Pittsburgh and throw a bullpen session on Tuesday before "making a determination" on his next outing/activation, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cherington did not clarify whether Jones will be a starter or a reliever. He's under consideration for a return from the IL, but the Pirates want to make sure his recovery continues to go well. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2020 threw 76 pitches and allowed three runs while walking three and striking out six in 4 1/3 innings in his latest minor-league rehab outing on Saturday at Triple-A Indianapolis. Jones has a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 frames over his five rehab starts with Single-A Bradenton, Double-A Altoona, and Indy, and is on the cusp of returning after he missed all of 2025 due to UCL surgery on his right elbow. He's currently rostered in only 21% of Yahoo leagues and is one of the best pitching stashes in fantasy right now.

5 days ago

Bubba Chandler • SP • Pirates

Bubba Chandler Shows his Strikeout Upside With Career-High 11 Strikeouts

Pittsburgh Pirates young right-hander Bubba Chandler had his best start of the season on Friday night in Toronto against the Blue Jays, but he still picked up his sixth loss of the season. Chandler, who has had issues with his control in his first full season in the big leagues in 2026 with the Bucs, was outstanding on Friday night in Canada, allowing three runs (one earned) on just two hits while walking three and striking out a career-high 11 in five innings of work to lower his season ERA to 4.79. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 threw 99 pitches and generated 22 swings and misses. It was definitely a nice rebound outing for Chandler, who allowed five runs (four earned) with four walks and only two strikeouts in a season-low three innings in his last appearance on May 16 against the Philadelphia Phillies. His strikeout upside makes him intriguing, but he does not have an ideal upcoming matchup against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at home next week. In his first start against Chicago on April 12, Chandler allowed three earned runs on five hits (two homers) while walking two and fanning four in 5 1/3 frames for a no-decision.

6 days ago

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones Carries Elite Stash Upside Ahead of Looming Activation

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) holds must-stash upside in all standard leagues ahead of his looming return from the 60-day injured list. Jones has not been on an MLB mound since his 2024 rookie season after undergoing an internal brace procedure last season. However, Jones has recently moved his rehab assignment up to Triple-A Indianapolis, which puts him on the verge of returning to the big leagues. Jones began his rehab assignment in the lower levels, where he tossed 10 innings with a near-perfect 0.90 ERA and an 11:1 K:BB. In his first rehab outing with the top club in the system, Jones tossed 4 1/3 innings while striking out seven hitters. Jones is set to make his fifth rehab outing on Saturday, which could set him up to return to the big leagues as early as next week. He should be viewed as a must-stash candidate in all formats ahead of Week 9.

7 days ago

Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Pirates Promoting Esmerlyn Valdez, Viewed as Priority Waiver-Wire Target?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting outfielder/first baseman Esmerlyn Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, a source told Pirates insider Jason Mackey. In a corresponding move, the team optioned outfielder Billy Cook to Indy. The 22-year-old is considered Pittsburgh's No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and the Dominican should have an opportunity to play alongside fellow outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia in right field with Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) currently on the injured list. Valdez will receive his first major-league call-up after hitting .253/.381/.506 with an .888 OPS, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 46 games across 194 plate appearances at Triple-A. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound right-handed hitter has intriguing raw power and has matured as a hitter this year on the farm to lower his swing-and-miss and chase rate. Because Valdez will most likely be in a platoon against left-handed pitchers, fantasy managers shouldn't overspend to roster him in mixed leagues in his first taste of the major leagues.

May 21

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones Nearing his Return to MLB Rotation?

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Indianapolis, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. General manager Ben Cherington said on Sunday that Jones would make "at least one" more rehab start, so Saturday could be his last rehab outing before rejoining the Pirates' major-league starting rotation. He will be eligible to come off the 60-day injured list after that. Despite missing all of the 2025 season due to elbow surgery, Jones is one of the best arms to stash in fantasy baseball leagues, and he's only rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues right now. He got up to 52 pitches and 4 1/3 innings in his last rehab start, and he's looked solid in his four starts with Indy, Single-A Bradenton, and Double-A Altoona, posting a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 18 K's and only three walks in 14 1/3 frames. Jones was a second-round pick in 2020 and impressed in his first 22 major-league starts as a rookie in 2024 with 132 punchouts and 39 walks in 121 2/3 innings pitched.

May 21

Jhostynxon Garcia • RF • Pirates

Jhostynxon Garcia Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday

Sports Columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Noah Hiles, reported on Monday morning that Jhostynxon Garcia is expected to join the Pirates on Tuesday in St. Louis. "The Password" is heading to the major leagues. Garcia is a 23-year-old right-handed hitter and the Pirates' No. 5-ranked prospect in their organization. The Pirates acquired him via trade in December of 2025 from Boston. So far in 2026, Garcia is slashing .242/.291/.463 with six home runs, 15 runs scored, 13 RBI, and no stolen bases. His BB/K ratio sits at 0.25. Last season, which spanned Double-A and Triple-A, Garcia slashed .267/.340/.470. Garcia projects well within the Pirates organization; however, from a fantasy standpoint, he is more of a wait-and-see prospect than a must-add. Garcia figures to work in right field to replace Jared Triolo or Jake Mangum from time to time. Garcia profiles elite raw power and high exit velocities to go with a strong arm in the outfield.

May 18

Ryan O'Hearn • RF • Pirates

Ryan O'Hearn Goes on Injured List With Quad Strain

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) is going on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a right-quad strain, according to Pirates reporter Jason Mackey. O'Hearn was pulled from Saturday's game early against the Philadelphia Phillies with right-quad discomfort, and now the 32-year-old veteran will miss at least the next 10 games. O'Hearn went hitless in just one at-bat on Saturday before leaving and is hitting a strong .291/.370/.462 with an .832 OPS, seven home runs, 29 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a stolen base in 158 at-bats over his first 43 games with the Pirates this year. Now that he will be sidelined for a bit of time, both Nick Yorke and Billy Cook could see more time in the Bucs' outfield for at least the next 10 days. O'Hearn's strong season to this point had earned him some looks off the waiver wire, and he's currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues. Surprisingly, O'Hearn has improved against lefties this year, going 13-for-46 (.283) with one of his seven home runs against them. UPDATE: General manager Ben Cherington said that O'Hearn's quad strain is "moderate" and is likely to keep him on the sidelines for around four weeks.

May 17

Ryan O'Hearn • RF • Pirates

Ryan O'Hearn Exits Early on Saturday with Quad Issue

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O'Hearn (quad) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. O'Hearn exited in the fourth inning of this game due to right quad discomfort. Before exiting, O'Hearn was hitless in his lone plate appearance. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he sits out of Sunday's game as a precaution. The Pirates should give an update on his status following Saturday's game. Jared Triolo took over at first base and could see more action over there if O'Hearn misses any time.

May 16

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