Pittsburgh Pirates News

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Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez Returning to the Lineup on Tuesday

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (hand) will be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, according to Jason Mackey. Valdez will return to action a day after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand, which caused him to be removed from Monday's game early. Thankfully, tests on Valdez's hand came back negative for any fractures. The 22-year-old Dominican has been excellent in his first 124 major-league at-bats in 2026, slashing .290/.386/.702 with a 1.088 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored across his 38 games and 145 plate appearances. Valdez has been one of the most popular waiver-wire pickups for his power. Although he still has a 1.043 OPS in 21 games in July, Valdez has cooled off of late, going 3-for-16 with eight strikeouts in his last six games. Fantasy managers will be hoping that he can turn things around in his return on Tuesday at PNC Park.

16 hours ago

Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez Day-to-Day With Hand Contusion

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (hand) is considered day-to-day with a left-hand contusion after tests showed no fractures, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Valdez was forced from Monday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks early after he was hit on the left hand by a pitch. Thankfully, the 22-year-old has avoided a serious injury, but he might be held out of action on Tuesday for the second game of the series. The right-handed-hitting Dominican outfielder has been one of the hottest waiver-wire pickups in fantasy baseball since his MLB debut earlier this year, as he's tearing the cover off the baseball with a .290/.386/.702 slash line with a 1.088 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored in only 38 games and 145 plate appearances. In 21 games and 91 plate appearances in July, Valdez has gone 21-for-76 (.276) with a 1.043 OPS, eight homers, three doubles, a triple, 24 RBI, and 16 runs for the Bucs. Check back later to see if he's ready to return to Pittsburgh's starting nine against Arizona.

19 hours ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Having "Good Days of Late," Rehab Assignment Could Come Soon

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that center fielder Oneil Cruz (hand) has had "good days of late," according to Dominic Campbell of Sports Illustrated. Cruz seems to be past the soreness of where his fractured hand is on contact, and his bones are healing. His next step is to ramp up his baseball activities before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Cherington thinks that Cruz could be ready to come off the 60-day injured list during the early window of eligibility to return, which will come on Aug. 7. The 27-year-old Dominican has been sidelined with a fractured left hand since June 8. Cruz has been swinging a bat for a few weeks and is improving, so fantasy managers are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for his return. With one of the fastest bat speeds in baseball, Cruz can be a five-category game-changer down the stretch if he's fully healthy. Before his hand injury, he was slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored across his 250 at-bats.

19 hours ago

Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez Leaves Early on Monday After Being Hit in Wrist Area

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (wrist) left Monday's game early against the Arizona Diamondbacks after he was hit by a pitch in the left wrist area in the fourth inning, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Before leaving the contest early, Valdez went 0-for-1 at the plate. He was replaced in right field by Tyler Callihan, who moved from first base. Valdez will almost certainly go for X-rays on his hand/wrist to determine if he's dealing with any cracked bones. The 22-year-old Dominican outfielder has burst onto the scene in the Steel City in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues, as he came into Monday's series opener with a .293/.385/.707 slash line, 1.092 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 37 games across 143 plate appearances. His strong start to his MLB career has earned him an everyday role and has made him one of the most popular recent waiver-wire pickups in fantasy baseball leagues. For now, we'll consider Valdez day-to-day until we know more about his hand/wrist injury. UPDATE: Valdez is expected to undergo more imaging on Tuesday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Kevin Gorman.

Yesterday

Mason Montgomery • RP • Pirates

Mason Montgomery Earns Second Save as Fantasy Value Continues to Rise

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Mason Montgomery earned his second save of the season in the team's 8-7 win over the division-rival Chicago Cubs on Sunday, although it didn't come easily. Montgomery allowed two earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out two. The 26-year-old southpaw is getting more run in high-leverage, late-inning situations, and he got the call in the ninth in this one over left-hander Gregory Soto, who has been the team's primary saves option for the majority of the 2026 season. Montgomery is now 3-3 on the season with two saves, a 4.04 ERA (2.92 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, and 65:19 K:BB in 42 1/3 innings across his 43 appearances (five starts) in his third year in the majors (first in Pittsburgh). While the Pirates seem to be trusting Montgomery more now that reliever Dennis Santana is out of the picture, Soto is still the better option for saves in the Pirates' bullpen for fantasy managers. Montgomery is currently rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues, although he's an option for those desperate in deeper leagues.

Yesterday

Paul Skenes • SP • Pirates

Paul Skenes Fans 11 Cubs But Allows Five Runs in Loss

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes started off Saturday's outing strong, but he faltered late in the team's 11-0 blowout loss to the division-rival Chicago Cubs. Skenes allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out 11 in 5 1/3 innings of work to take his ninth loss of the season. The 24-year-old three-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner is now 9-9 in his third major-league season with a career-high 3.65 ERA (2.72 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with 149 strikeouts and 28 walks in 120 2/3 innings pitched across his league-high 22 starts. Skenes hasn't been quite as untouchable as he was in his first two seasons with the Pirates, and Saturday's five-run outing snapped a streak of three straight starts with two earned runs allowed or fewer. Even though Skenes hasn't been as dominant as many were hoping for in 2026, he still has plenty of swing-and-miss stuff, as he generated 22 swings and misses on 105 pitches against Chicago. Fantasy managers should keep him in their starting lineups for his next scheduled outing against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds next week. In his two starts against the Reds this year, Skenes has a 4.50 ERA with four walks and 12 K's in 10 innings pitched.

2 days ago

Braxton Ashcraft • SP • Pirates

Braxton Ashcraft Remains Worth Buying Despite Current Rough Patch

Across 116 1/3 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a 9-4 record with a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts. While Ashcraft's overall line is strong, he's run into a rough patch of late. Across his last two starts, the 26-year-old has allowed four home runs and 12 earned runs in just eight innings pitched. Ashcraft's previous career-high for innings pitched in a professional season was 73 in 2024, so he may be running into a wall under the strain of his current workload. However, the young right-hander's underlying metrics still point to high-end upside. Ashcraft is averaging 97.2 miles per hour on his fastball, and he's logged a 27.0% strikeout rate with just a 5.8% walk rate. In leagues where managers are panicking after back-to-back rough outings, Ashcraft could be worth buying low on.

4 days ago

Bryan Reynolds • LF • Pirates

Bryan Reynolds is Bouncing Back in 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds put together one of the worst seasons of his career last year. It wasn't an awful year, but Reynolds is expected to play at an All-Star level, which is something he didn't do last season. Now, Reynolds is back and has rebounded nicely at the plate. Through 103 games, Reynolds is slashing .275/.391/.463 with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, and seven stolen bases this season. It appears Reynolds is finally back to the normal version of himself that fantasy managers expect to see. Fantasy managers might want to take advantage of the resurgence now and cash in by trading him.

5 days ago

Jacob Gonzalez • 1B • Pirates

Jacob Gonzalez Is a Deep-League Power Add After Another Pittsburgh Homer

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jacob Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Yankees, his second long ball since joining the club. Gonzalez is 5-for-17 with five RBI and three runs during that stretch. His full major-league line now sits at .252 with four homers, 22 RBI, and 14 runs across 103 at-bats. The Pirates have used Gonzalez at shortstop and first base, but there is still competition for at-bats around the infield. That keeps him out of standard mixed-league territory for now. The power is worth a deeper look. Gonzalez hit .320/.422/.675 with 19 home runs over 200 Triple-A at-bats, and only 3% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered. RotoBaller places him in the 15-team range. He is a viable add there, especially for managers looking for corner-infield power.

5 days ago

Jake Mangum • CF • Pirates

Jake Mangum a Deep-League Speed Option if his Foot Checks Out

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum (foot) collected two hits, stole his 19th base, and knocked in an insurance run during Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Yankees. He also fouled a ball off his right foot. Mangum finished the opener but was scratched from the second game of the doubleheader so Pittsburgh could examine the injury. The Pirates hope to have him back Friday. Mangum is batting .303 with two home runs, 35 runs, 21 RBI, and 19 steals across 251 at-bats. There is almost no power here, but that is not why fantasy managers are looking his way. He can help in average and make a real difference in stolen bases. His name appears on just 11% of Yahoo rosters, while RotoBaller ranks him in the 15-team range. Mangum is worth adding there once the foot checks out.

5 days ago

Gregory Soto • RP • Pirates

Gregory Soto Tallies 13th Save, Re-Emerging as Name to Roster in Pittsburgh Bullpen

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto picked up his 13th save of the season on Wednesday, throwing a scoreless 10th inning with a strikeout in his team's 5-3 extra-inning win over the New York Yankees. Soto had a rough month in June, allowing 11 earned runs across 7 1/3 innings. However, the 31-year-old has bounced back in July, pitching to a 1.35 ERA with six strikeouts and two saves across his first 6 2/3 innings this month. The 31-year-old's underlying metrics for the year remain strong, as he's averaging 97.2 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a 27.6% strikeout rate. With his recent rough patch now seemingly in the rearview mirror, Soto once again looks like the closer to roster in Pittsburgh.

5 days ago

Sammy Stafura • SS • Pirates

Sammy Stafura Stays Red-Hot With Multi-Hit, Multi-Steal Performance

Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Sammy Stafura logged yet another multi-hit performance on Tuesday, his 10th multi-hit effort in his last 15 games at High-A, while adding a pair of steals. After an uneven start to the season, which included two stints on the injured list, Stafura is now making up for it. Since June 25, a period of 17 games, the Pirates' 10th-ranked prospect has gone on an otherworldly run of production, hitting .413 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 26 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases, good for a .565 wOBA and 227 wRC+ over that period. He's doing so despite an elevated 26.8 percent strikeout rate over that span, although it is an improvement over the 33.3 percent rate he produced at High-A prior to this recent run of success. As a career .251 hitter in the lower levels of the minors, the 21-year-old may have fallen off the dynasty radar, but this type of production shouldn't be ignored, and the former second-rounder may finally be living up to his draft-day potential.

6 days ago

Murf Gray • 3B • Pirates

Murf Gray's Second Home Run at Double-A was a Grand One

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman prospect Murf Gray was recently promoted to Double-A, his second promotion of the season already, and he's collected a hit in three of the first four games for Altoona, including his second home run at that level on Tuesday, which was a grand slam. Not only that, the Pirates' third-ranked prospect is showing patience, drawing three walks compared to just two strikeouts so far with the Curve. The Fresno State product was a 2025 draft pick, 73rd overall, but is seeing time in professional baseball for the first time this season and has not disappointed. Across all three levels this year, the 6-foot-3 slugger owns a .323/.405/.610 slash line with 25 home runs, and though he tended to chase pitches in college, he is striking out at just a 19.2 percent rate while drawing walks at a 10.5 percent rate, so it looks like he's developed in that area. At this rate, the 22-year-old could be in the mix for an MLB debut next year, and his dynasty arrow is pointing up at the moment.

6 days ago

Nick Gonzales • 3B • Pirates

Nick Gonzales Should Not Be Available in 12-Team Leagues

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales picked up two more hits and scored twice in Sunday's 7-1 win over Cleveland. He also homered in Saturday's opener and now sits at .311 with five home runs, 55 runs, 44 RBI, and four steals over 351 at-bats. Only 40% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered, a low number for a hitter who ranks third in the National League in hits. The average is doing most of the work here. Gonzales has only five homers and four steals, so this is not broad category juice. He keeps putting the ball in play, owns a .370 on-base percentage, and qualifies at second base, third base, and shortstop. Some pullback is possible, with a .282 expected average behind the .311 mark. Even then, this kind of useful, flexible bat belongs in 12-team leagues.

Jul 20

Mason Montgomery • RP • Pirates

Mason Montgomery Is Pittsburgh's Best Saves Stash

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery struck out two in a clean eighth inning against Cleveland on Sunday. Make that seven straight scoreless appearances, 6 1/3 innings in all, with one hit allowed and 12 strikeouts. He picked up his first save of the season during that run. Montgomery's 3.92 ERA and 1.26 WHIP are not exactly closer numbers. Fifty-eight strikeouts in 39 innings tell a different story. The ninth is not his, at least not yet. Pittsburgh started him Saturday, then used him with a four-run lead Sunday. Gregory Soto could not protect the lead in Saturday's nightcap, and Dennis Santana gave up the walk-off homer. It is still a committee, and a messy one. Montgomery is missing the most bats and has the momentum. RotoBaller has him in the 12-team range, which makes him the Pittsburgh reliever to stash for future saves.

Jul 20

Khristian Curtis • SP • Pirates

Pirates Call Up Pitching Prospect Khristian Curtis for Doubleheader

The Pittsburgh Pirates are selecting the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Khristian Curtis from Triple-A Indianapolis for Game 1 of their doubleheader on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, according to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. Curtis is the team's No. 21 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he might only be with the Bucs for one day as extra pitching depth for their two games versus Cleveland. The 24-year-old former 12th-rounder in 2023 out of Arizona State University will be making his MLB debut if he gets into a game on Saturday. He started the year at Double-A Altoona before being promoted to Indy despite going 0-7 with a 4.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 67:25 K:BB in 53 1/3 innings over his 12 starts. In six appearances (four starts) at Triple-A, Curtis has gone 2-1 with a 5.57 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 30:15 K:BB in 21 frames. If Curtis debuts on Saturday, it will be in a relief role, and he could be sent back to Indy on Sunday, so fantasy managers in AL-only leagues can avoid him for now.

Jul 18

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Moved to 60-Day Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates moved outfielder Oniel Cruz (hand) to the 60-day injured list on Saturday, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. There hasn't been a setback in Cruz's rehab from a fractured hand he suffered in June, and he will be eligible to return to the major-league roster on Aug. 8. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his hand as he begins to ramp up his baseball activities in the coming weeks, Cruz stands a good chance of returning right on Aug. 8. The 27-year-old Dominican must remain stashed in all fantasy formats as a five-category producer when healthy. Before getting hurt, Cruz was slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in his 250 at-bats. Cruz led the league in stolen bases with 38 in 2025, and he's had at least 21 steals in each of the last three seasons while also contributing at least 20 homers in the last two campaigns. When Cruz is activated from the 60-day IL in early April, he'll return to being Pittsburgh's everyday center fielder.

Jul 18

Edward Florentino • OF • Pirates

Edward Florentino Nearing Promotion Amid Torrid Stretch at High-A

Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino has continued to swing a scorching hot bat at the High-A level and is making a strong case to receive a taste of Double-A late in the 2026 season. Over his last 14 contests at High-A Greensboro, the 19-year-old outfielder has posted a sharp .283/.338/.683 line with a 1.022 OPS. During this stretch, Florentino has launched six long balls and added four doubles with an 18:5 K:BB. His recent surge is worth noting, as Florentino carried a much lower .212/.366/.412 line with a modest .778 OPS over his first 48 games of the season (shared between both Low-A and High-A). While the No. 30-ranked prospect in the sport remains far from his MLB debut, he is continuing to rise up dynasty rankings and is establishing himself as one of the sport's top outfield prospects.

Jul 18

Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez a Breakout Rookie to Target on the Waiver Wire

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder/first baseman Esmerlyn Valdez has taken the league by storm through his first 28 games and 105 plate appearances, hitting .309/.371/.713 with a 1.084 OPS, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, and 21 runs for the Bucs. It all came to a head for the 22-year-old Dominican last weekend in a doubleheader sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, when he finished the day 4-for-8 with three home runs and eight RBI. Valdez is looking to keep up his hot month of July when the second half starts on Friday. In 11 games so far in July, he has gone 14-for-46 (.304) with four home runs, two doubles, a triple, 15 RBI, and 11 runs scored. Per MLB Pipeline, Valdez is Pittsburgh's No. 9 prospect. The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder made a concerted effort to improve his conditioning and approach at the plate in the last year, and it's really showing up during his MLB debut in 2026. Valdez's glove is nothing special, but if he keeps hitting like this, the Pirates will continue to run him out there every day. He won't be able to keep up his current pace through the rest of the season, but Valdez is one of the hottest young power bats to target going into the second half in fantasy leagues. The 22-year-old is currently rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues, so he's still widely available.

Jul 17

Brandon Lowe • 2B • Pirates

Brandon Lowe Remains a Strong Source of Power

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe didn't get an All-Star nod, despite being well deserving of one. The 32-year-old is coming off a strong first half with the Pirates. Through 90 games, Lowe is slashing .246/.316/.487 with 21 home runs and 64 RBI. He smacked 31 long balls last season and has a good chance of surpassing that this season. Outside of the power, Lowe isn't offering a ton of upside to fantasy managers. The veteran slugger doesn't hit for average, walk much or steal bases at a high rate. Fantasy managers looking for help in the power department should hang onto Lowe, but he could be an interesting sell-high candidate.

Jul 16

Pittsburgh Pirates News

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