Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB category, Page 2
Pirates option C/1B Rafael Flores, RHP Cam Sanders to Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a series of roster moves Sunday morning ahead of their spring training game vs. the Boston Red Sox, optioning catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores and right-hander Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis. Righties Chris Devenski and Carson Fulmer, left-hander Joe La Sorsa and infielder Alika Williams were reassigned...
Previewing the Pirates: With Konnor Griffin out of mix, Jared Triolo could be key at shortstop
The storyline that dominated spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates was whether 19-year-old Konnor Griffin, the consensus top prospect in baseball, would be their starting shortstop on Opening Day. When the Pirates opted to reassign Griffin to minor league camp Saturday, it painted a clearer picture of who would be...
Pirates reassign top prospect Konnor Griffin to minor league camp
Konnor Griffin, MLB’s No. 1 overall prospect, possesses the kind of skill set that makes him a strong bet to make it to the big leagues sooner rather than later. However, at least to start the 2026 regular season, Griffin will head back to the minors to build on a...
Paul Skenes tosses 4 scoreless frames, Oneil Cruz homers as Pirates beat Blue Jays
In his final tune-up of spring training, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes started Saturday afternoon versus the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. Skenes, who made one other start (Feb. 25) this spring and is fresh from winning a silver medal with the United States at the...
Pirates option Jhostynxon Garcia and Tyler Callihan to Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday morning, reducing the number of players left at major league camp to 35. Garcia, 23, had been one of the Pirates’ top offensive performers during spring training, as he batted .405 with two homers,...
TribLive writers offer their predictions for the 2026 MLB season
Opening Day is set for Thursday across Major League Baseball, and TribLive writers Kevin Gorman and Justin Guerriero and columnists Tim Benz and Joe Starkey have thoughts on how the season will shake out. Here’s a look: Award winners NL MVP Kevin Gorman: Bryce Harper, Phillies Justin Guerriero: Juan Soto,...
Previewing the Pirates: Plenty of pop in the outfield but defense remains a real concern
When the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the process of signing Marcell Ozuna to be their designated hitter and approached Ryan O’Hearn about playing more outfield than first base, his response came with a request. O’Hearn expressed to general manager Ben Cherington that when asked to split time between multiple spots...
Konnor Griffin Q&A: Only 19, baseball’s top prospect says he’s ‘big on challenging myself’
Only 19, Konnor Griffin entered spring training as baseball’s consensus No. 1 prospect and in competition for the starting shortstop job for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 2024 first-round pick (No. 9 overall), Griffin batted .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, 117 runs scored and 65 stolen...
Joe Starkey: The Pirates will win 86 games, and thank you for asking
They thought Clint Hurdle was nuts. They probably think I am, too. Hurdle predicted 95 wins in 2013, with the Pirates mired in a 20-year losing streak. I am predicting 86 wins in 2026, with the Pirates mired in a seven-year losing streak — and I am going to be...
2026 Pirates 40-man roster breakdownVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates have 20 pitchers and 20 position players on their 40-man roster as the 2026 season approaches. Here’s a look at each player: Pirates’ 40-man roster No. Name, Ht., Wt., Pos. 35 BRAXTON ASHCRAFT 6-5 218 RHP Went 3-2, 3.22 ERA, 36K/14BB in 36⅓ innings in relief, 1-2...
Quest to contend: Pirates bolster roster around Paul Skenes with eye on postseason
BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Skenes sensed something felt different the first time he took the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring, once he looked at a lineup that featured All-Star additions. The Pirates won the inaugural MLB Draft lottery then sat on the winning ticket after selecting Skenes first...
Seth Hernandez sizzles in Spring Breakout, as Pirates’ 1st-rounder tops triple digits 10 times
All eyes were on the 19-year-old first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates. For once, they weren’t trained on Konnor Griffin but instead another 6-foot-4 potential superstar. Seth Hernandez, selected sixth overall in 2025 MLB Draft, started the Spring Breakout against the Detroit Tigers with a sizzle by firing a 102.4...
Yohan Ramirez records 2 strikeouts in scoreless inning, but Braves beat Pirates
Yohan Ramírez made a case for a spot in the bullpen with a strong start for the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out two of the three batters he faced in a scoreless inning. The right-hander has been scored upon only once in his last seven appearances this spring, giving up two...
Mark Madden: The Pirates will be better, but can they contend for a playoff berth?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are spending more. But are they spending enough? The Pirates will be better. But how much better? The Pirates went out and got three solid bats. But not Aaron, Clemente and Mays. A lot is being assumed by cockeyed optimists and media fanboys. But with Opening Day less...
Beyond the Bylines: Pens push for the playoffs; Pirates win totals; missing Pitt in March MadnessVideo
“Beyond the Bylines” is back after a week off. Joe Starkey and Tim Benz dive into March Madness. They discuss the state of the Penguins’ playoff chase, their upcoming schedule, Evgeni Malkin’s history and contract status, and the goaltending. The guys also look at the Pirates’ projected win total, Konnor...
On sports: Steelers eye North Dakota State QB; Andrew McCutchen lighting it up with RangersVideo
In Friday’s “On Sports,” the Steelers are bringing in an FCS standout quarterback for a visit fresh off of his pro day, while the Pirates, despite most recently losing to the Orioles, continue a strong spring training. Speaking of strong springs, Andrew McCutchen is tearing it up in a prove-it...
Q&A: Greg Brown living out his dream as Pirates play-by-play announcer
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. With spring training in full swing, it’s a great time to think warmer weather and baseball. Pirates play-by-play announcer Greg Brown stopped...
Early deficit too much for Pirates to overcome in spring training loss to Orioles
Samuel Basallo hit a pair of home runs as the Baltimore Orioles built a five-run lead the Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t overcome. Basallo hit a solo shot off Cam Sanders in the first inning and a two-run homer off Mike Clevinger in the third to boost Baltimore to a 5-2 win...
NL Central preview: Loaded Cubs going for division title, but Brewers, Reds lurking
CHICAGO — Alex Bregman, welcome to the NL Central. Welcome back, Eugenio Suarez. Bregman is hoping to lead the Chicago Cubs to their first Central title since 2020 after signing a $175 million, five-year contract with the North Siders in free agency. But the competition is tough in a division...
Pirates option catcher Endy Rodriguez to Triple-A Indianapolis
Endy Rodriguez was in the Opening Day starting lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates last year as a first baseman. This year, the 25-year-old catcher will start the season in the minors. The Pirates optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, reducing the roster in their big-league camp to 37 players...
Spring Breakout serves as opportunity for Pirates to showcase baseball’s top farm system
When the Pittsburgh Pirates were paired with the Detroit Tigers for the Spring Breakout, it was supposed to showcase baseball’s top two prospects in shortstops Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle. That neither McGonigle nor Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler (ranked No. 15) are on their team’s respective rosters for the MLB...
Braxton Ashcraft leaves Tigers looking with 8 strikeouts as Pirates end 3-game skid
Braxton Ashcraft didn’t just wow the Detroit Tigers. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander left them looking. Ashcraft drew 22 called strikes, including on four of his eight strikeouts without a walk in 5 1/3 innings, as the Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers, 3-1, on Wednesday night to end a three-game Grapefruit...
A fresh menu takes the field at PNC ParkVideo
New ballpark bites are on deck at PNC Park for the upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates season. The team unveiled the new lineup Wednesday, featuring creative spins on Steel City staples — from pierogies and kielbasa to chipped ham favorites. In total, nine new menu items will be available at select spots...
Alika Williams impressed by Konnor Griffin as the Pirates shortstops compete for roster spot
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are down to two non-roster invitees among their position player group in big-league camp, and it just so happens they play the same position. Alika Williams is a locker mate of Konnor Griffin in the home clubhouse at LECOM Park, so he’s had an...
Oneil Cruz returns to Pirates with a hit, but Astros score 6 runs against Mitch Keller in win
Oneil Cruz returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates after taking a star turn for his native Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and picked up right where he left off. Cruz went 1 for 3 in his first game back with the Pirates since Feb. 26, extending his streak of...
