Pittsburgh Pirates News

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Nick Yorke • 2B • Pirates

Nick Yorke to Begin Season in Utility Role?

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Yorke is expected to compete for a utility role during spring training, according to Danny Demilio of Pittsburgh Baseball Now. Yorke made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign but has yet to earn an extended stint in the big leagues. In 2024, Yorke appeared in only 11 games and saw his role slightly increase last summer, logging 22 games. Across these 33 contests, the former 17th overall pick has held a .226/.272/.340 line with a low .612 OPS. Yorke has hit just three home runs and swiped three bags. However, through 104 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last season, Yorke carried a .287/.348/.406 line with seven home runs and 17 stolen bases, showing his potential to be a five-category contributor. With Brandon Lowe covering the keystone, Yorke will likely compete for a utility role in the infield, serving as a complementary option to third baseman Jared Triolo and shortstop Nick Gonzales. He is worth monitoring in camp for managers in deeper 15+ team formats.

2 days ago

Jared Jones • SP • Pirates

Jared Jones Throwing Bullpens Twice a Week

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week as he continues his rehab program, he told John Perrotto of PiratesRoundtable. Jones experienced UCL discomfort last spring and ultimately underwent an internal brace procedure in May. As a result, he hasn't pitched in a game since his rookie season in 2024. During that campaign, he tossed 121.2 innings across 22 starts with a 3.78 xFIP, 9.76 K/9, and 2.88 BB/9. At just 24 years old, he brings plenty of upside to a young Pirates rotation that also features Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler. Perrotto said that, although the Pirates don't have an exact timetable for Jones' recovery, a June return seems realistic at the moment. He currently ranks as the #139 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.

2 days ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz has Productive Offseason

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz has reportedly worked hard this offseason to improve his body and the issues he had last season. Cruz said there was no time to relax and immediately got back to work when he got home. The 27-year-old wants to focus on getting better, which is exactly what the Pirates want to hear from Cruz, who struggled last season. In 2025, Cruz posted a .200/.298/.378 slash line with 20 home runs, 61 RBI, and 38 stolen bases in 135 games. Before that, Cruz was a 2.5 WAR player during the 2024 campaign. The Pirates are hopeful that Cruz and bounce back and return to the type of production that he was giving during the 2024 season.

3 days ago

Hunter Barco • SP • Pirates

Hunter Barco to Compete for Starting Role in Camp

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed prospect pitcher Hunter Barco is expected to compete for a role in the starting rotation during spring training. Last season, the southpaw was promoted in September for his MLB debut. Across three innings of work (all out of the bullpen), the lefty did not allow a run and struck out three hitters. He began 2025 with Double-A but needed only 25 2/3 innings to prove he was ready to join Triple-A. During this brief stint at Double-A, the left-hander did not allow a run and held a dominant 0.70 WHIP. At Triple-A Indianapolis, Barco logged 73 2/3 innings with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He tallied 82 strikeouts and 42 walks. Managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on his progress in camp, as he will likely be competing for a starting role alongside Thomas Harrington. If he can crack the rotation, he would have sleeper appeal in deeper 12+ team formats, given his strikeout potential.

Jan 20

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin Invited to Big-League Spring Training

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder Konnor Griffin is among the Pirates' invites to big-league spring training this year, according to the team. Per MLB Pipeline, Griffin is considered the top prospect in baseball in 2026. The 19-year-old turned heads in his first year in the minors for the Bucs in 2025, hitting .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs, and 65 stolen bases in 122 combined games with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Double-A Altoona. Depending on how he looks in spring training, Griffin has a real chance to be the first teenager to debut in the big leagues since Juan Soto in 2018. Griffin is expected to compete for the starting shortstop job this spring. Griffin is a premium all-around athlete with plus-plus speed, and he certainly has the looks of a future fantasy superstar, potentially as early as 2026.

Jan 17

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin Quickly Climbing the Minor-League Ladder

Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Konnor Griffin is considered the No. 1 prospect in the entire sport on MLB.com and is quickly climbing the minor leagues. Last summer, the former ninth-overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft made his professional debut with Low-A but finished the season with Double-A Altoona. Through 101 games split between Low-A and High-A, the 19-year-old posted an elite .332/.414/.524 line with a .937 OPS. He hit 16 home runs and swiped 59 bases. Then, during his first 21 games at Double-A, Griffin continued to play at an elite level, carrying a .337/.418/.542 line with five home runs and six stolen bases. Given his impressive rise through the minor leagues, Girffin could be in play to not only make his MLB debut early in 2026 but potentially out of spring training. Reports earlier this offseason suggest that the Pirates may give Griffin an opportunity to claim the shortstop job. Even if it is unlikely for Griffin to debut in the majors at the start of this season, he should be in the mix to reach the big leagues by the second half.

Jan 16

Bubba Chandler • SP • Pirates

Bubba Chandler's Stock is Rising Ahead of Spring Training

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler has seen his fantasy stock rise following his strong conclusion to the season, as he appears poised for a breakout campaign in 2026. Chandler made his MLB debut with the Pirates in late August of 2025. Through his first 31 1/3 innings in the big leagues, the right-hander posted a modest 4.01 ERA with a stellar 0.93 WHIP. However, his ERA is significantly inflated due to the nine-run outing on September 7. Removing this one fluke outing, the 23-year-old would have instead carried a dominant 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 28:1 K:BB across 28 2/3 innings in the big leagues. While Chandler struggled at times at Triple-A before his promotion, once he reached Pittsburgh, the top prospect looked like his typical self. Seeing that he showed elite command and above-average strikeout upside, Chandler could enjoy an impressive first full season in the big leagues and is worth viewing as an SP3/SP4 with upside.

Jan 15

Chris Devenski • RP • Pirates

Pirates Sign Chris Devenski to Minor-League Contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Chris Devenski to a minor-league contract. The 35-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign with the New York Mets. He spent the majority of his campaign with Triple-A Syracuse as he logged just 16 2/3 innings in Queens. However, during his brief stint in the majors, the veteran was effective, posting a strong 2.16 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP. He struck out 14 hitters and allowed only five walks. Through 37 2/3 innings of relief in the top level of the minor leagues, Devenski earned four saves and held a 3.35 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. Managers should expect Devenski to compete for a low-leverage role in the Mets bullpen during Spring Training. If he can earn a spot, he would likely not hold much fantasy value, as he would be projected to be deployed in a low-leverage role.

Jan 9

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz, Pirates Avoid Arbitration

The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Oneil Cruz have avoided arbitration and settled on a one-year, $3.3 million contract. After a promising 2024 season in which Cruz held a .259/.324/.449 line with 21 home runs and 22 stolen bases, the 27-year-old took a significant step back in 2025. Last summer, Cruz saw his batting average drop to .200, and he hit just 20 home runs. However, he did flash even higher speed potential, swiping a career-best 38 bags. While he continued to hit the ball hard, as evident in his 17.9% barrel rate and 56.6% hard-hit rate, he was unable to make consistent contact. Cruz placed in the second percentile in K% (32.0%) and the third percentile in whiff rate (34.0%). While managers in standard leagues may target him for his speed production, they should construct their roster accordingly, as he is projected to remain a low batting average contributor in 2026.

Jan 8

Dennis Santana • RP • Pirates

Dennis Santana Settles at $3.5 Million With Pirates

Relief pitcher Dennis Santana has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates to avoid arbitration. Santana made his debut with the Pirates in 2024 after stints with the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, and Dodgers. During his first stint in Pittsburgh, the right-hander looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.44 ERA with 0.92 WHIP across 44 1/3 innings of work. In 2025, Santana continued to pitch at a high level, turning in his best season as a major-league pitcher, logging 70 1/3 innings with a 2.18 ERA and a stellar 0.70 WHIP. He struck out just 60 hitters but showed above-average command, allowing walks at a 6.3% rate. He tallied 16 saves and appears to remain the primary ninth-inning option in 2026. While his strikeout numbers may remain low, Santana is a safe bet for double-digit saves and high-end ratios in the upcoming season.

Jan 8

Ryan O'Hearn • 1B • Pirates

Ryan O'Hearn, Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal

Free-agent first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed on a two-year, $29 million contract, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The deal also includes $500,000 in performance bonuses for each season. For the Pirates, O'Hearn should split time between first base and designated hitter and slide right into the middle of the lineup. In 2025, the 32-year-old left-handed hitter posted a .272 xBA with a 10.7% walk rate while hitting 21 home runs across 544 plate appearances for the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres. Even though the Pirates aren't a great offensive team, O'Hearn should have the freedom to play every day. Overall, you don't need to bump him up your board much, but you should feel more confident clicking his name on draft day.

Dec 24

Dominic Fletcher • RF • Pirates

Dominic Fletcher Joining Pirates on Minor-League Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates have added some depth by signing outfielder Dominic Fletcher to a minor-league contract. The 28-year-old will get an invitation to spring training to catch on as outfield depth. Fletcher is a former second-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2019. He hasn't panned out at the MLB level yet, but maybe a change of scenery will help. Fletcher is slashing .233/.280/.325 with four home runs and 33 RBI across 112 big league games between the D-Backs and Chicago White Sox. He played well in Triple-A Charlotte last season, so hopefully he can bring it to the next level. This doesn't seem like anything more than a depth move for Pittsburgh.

Dec 23

Brandon Lowe • 2B • Pirates

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe, left-hander Mason Montgomery, and outfielder Jake Mangum. In return, the Tampa Bay Rays received right-hander Anderson Brito and outfielder Jacob Melton. The Houston Astros acquired right-hander Mike Burrows. Lowe will give the Pirates some much-needed pop in their lineup. The 31-year-old hit 31 home runs last year with a .256/.307/.477 slashine, good for a 114 wRC+. Montgomery projects as a serviceable middle reliever with nasty stuff, while Mangum should immediately rank among the Pirates' better defensive outfielders. The Rays add more upper-level prospect depth to their farm system in Brito and Melton. Meanwhile, the Astros acquire an up-and-coming right-hander in Burrows, who has less than a year of service time and still has an option remaining.

Dec 20

Gregory Soto • RP • Pirates

Gregory Soto Agrees to One-Year Deal With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates and left-handed reliever Gregory Soto have agreed to a one-year, $7.75 million deal, sources tell Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Soto, 30, posted a 4.18 ERA (3.49 SIERA) with a 25.1% strikeout rate across 60 1/3 innings in 2025. For the Pirates, Soto is expected to serve as a high-leverage reliever and could see opportunities in the closer role, depending on matchups. From a fantasy perspective, Soto will be most valuable in leagues that count holds as a category.

Dec 10

Mike Burrows • SP • Pirates

Astros Interested in Trading for Mike Burrows?

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Houston Astros have spoken to the Pittsburgh Pirates about right-hander Mike Burrows. However, those talks have cooled since the Pirates acquired outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia from the Boston Red Sox recently. Houston is seeking controllable young starting pitchers and could offer center fielder Jake Meyers in return. Burrows, 26, is coming off his second major-league season with the Pirates in 2025. In 96 innings pitched, he went 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 97 strikeouts and 31 walks in 23 appearances (19 starts). He mostly features a fastball, changeup, and a slider, with all three pitches getting plenty of swings and misses. Burrows has been overshadowed in Pittsburgh by all their talented young arms, but he could become an intriguing flier in fantasy leagues in 2026 if he's moved to the Astros and joins their starting rotation.

Dec 9

Marco Luciano • OF • Pirates

Pirates Claim Marco Luciano Off Waivers From Giants

The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed infielder/outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Friday, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Luciano was one of the Giants' top overall prospects just a few years ago, but he has not panned out. The 24-year-old Dominican made his major-league debut in 2023 but played in only 14 games. Luciano also surfaced with the Giants for 27 games in 2024. Overall, he hit a disappointing .217/.286/.304 with a .590 OPS, no home runs, three RBI, 14 runs scored, 11 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 126 plate appearances. He also struggled at Triple-A Sacramento in 2025, hitting .214 (99-for-462), although he did hit 23 home runs while driving in 66 in 125 games. The post-hype sleeper will hope the change of scenery flips a switch. Luciano came up as a shortstop, but he dabbled in the outfield this past season.

Dec 5

Jhostynxon Garcia • CF • Pirates

Pirates Acquire Jhostynxon Garcia From Red Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia from the Boston Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-hander Tyler Samaniego, and catcher Adonys Guzman, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Pirates will receive another player in addition to Garcia, who should have a shot in spring training to win the starting left field job in Pittsburgh in 2026. The 22-year-old Venezuelan nicknamed The Password made his big-league debut in Boston this year and had a double in nine plate appearances with two walks and five strikeouts in just five games played. Garcia hit .267/.340/.470 with an .810 OPS, 21 home runs, 75 RBI, 79 runs scored, and seven steals in 114 games with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in the minors before his call-up. The 6-foot, 163-pounder is listed as Pittsburgh's No. 6 prospect on MLB Pipeline and is known for producing high exit velocities and has the raw power to produce 25 to 30 homers a year as a full-time player for the Bucs.

Dec 5

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026

ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that the Pittsburgh Pirates are "strongly considering" giving 19-year-old Konnor Griffin "the opportunity to win their big-league shortstop job," according to sources. Kriffin was the consensus minor-league player of the year in 2025 after wowing scouts by hitting .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases in his first professional season. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder was the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Griffin has immense talent, but the last teenager to debut in the major leagues as a teenager was Juan Soto in 2018. It could be a situation that ends up biting the Pirates, but with a front-line starting rotation and a potential fresh batch of free-agent bats, the addition of Griffin would make the Bucs an exciting group to watch. As for Griffin's fantasy value, he clearly has the tools to be worth rostering in all leagues immediately if he's with Pittsburgh early in 2026.

Nov 19

Paul Skenes • SP • Pirates

Paul Skenes the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes won the National League Cy Young award on Wednesday night, getting all 30 first-place votes one season after winning Rookie of the Year, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez finished second in the voting, with Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto coming in third. It's crazy how quickly Skenes has become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. In his first two years in the majors, Skenes' 1.96 career ERA is the lowest through 55 starts in any pitcher's career since 1920. The former first overall pick out of LSU only got 3.4 runs of support per game, the third-lowest of any qualified pitcher in 2025. His MLB-best 1.97 ERA was more than a half-run lower than his closest competition in the NL. Skenes is the first pitcher in MLB to have a sub-2.00 ERA with at least 185 innings since Jacob deGrom did it in 2018. He's going to be a mainstay as the top-rated fantasy starting pitcher for years to come.

Nov 13

Paul Skenes • SP • Pirates

Pirates Won't Trade Paul Skenes

USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates "won't even listen to trade proposals" for right-hander Paul Skenes. The 23-year-old pitching phenom is already one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the rebuilding Pirates won't consider trading away the former first overall pick and the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year. Skenes is already a two-time All-Star and followed up his special first year in the big leagues by going 10-10 with a league-best 1.97 ERA (2.36 FIP) and league-best 0.95 WHIP with a career-best 216 strikeouts and 42 walks in 187 2/3 innings over his 32 starts. Skenes headlines an intriguing young pitching staff for the Bucs that will remain the strength of their team heading into next season. In fantasy baseball, Skenes will be the most coveted No. 1 starter.

Nov 11

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