Reynolds nearing 162-game milestone for 1st time in career

DETROIT -- With only two games to play in 2026, Bryan Reynolds is nearing a place that no Pirates player has been in the last two decades. Jason Bay played all 162 games in 2005.

On Friday at Comerica Park, Reynolds appeared in his 160th game of the season as Pittsburgh fell to Detroit, 8-7, in the first game of three to finish out the season. Reynolds is one of eight MLB players still on pace to play all 162 games.

“Yeah, I think that's pretty cool, being available,” Reynolds said this week. “I haven't started every game but getting into every game, I've wanted to do that in my career. I've had some hiccups the last few years, but hopefully this will be the year.”

The eight-year veteran has started 155 games, and has remained healthy all season to do so. To take some weight off his shoulders, he’s been taken out from games late as a defensive replacement, or like Thursday, Reynolds didn’t enter until the eighth inning as a pinch-hitter to keep the streak alive.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said pregame Friday that he and Reynolds have talked, and collectively as a team they want him to reach the milestone as he’s already so close. With a few games to go, Kelly remains in constant communication with Reynolds to make sure he’s up for the task each day.

“Bryan has been the [model of] stability and consistency,” Kelly said. “Just the way he goes about it every single day. You talk about a fierce competitor, and he certainly is. I mean, 162 is hard to do. You’re talking about every single game. How he plays the game and leads on the field is how we want the Pittsburgh Pirates and the identity of this team going forward, how we want to play.”

Reynolds walked in the top of the eighth Friday with two outs and the Pirates trailing by six. Reynolds' walk spurred a five-run rally, punctuated by a Rafael Flores Jr. three-run homer to nearly mount a comeback effort.

His season has featured its ups and downs, though Reynolds leads the Major Leagues in doubles (40) while posting a .364 OBP, his best since 2021 (.390). Reynolds is walking far more since the additions of Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn added more offensive output around him. He’s walked 88 times this year, compared to 57 or fewer in each of the previous four seasons.

Reynolds has pulled close to playing 162 games before, totaling 159 in 2021, 156 in 2024 and 154 in 2025. After setting a new career high Friday, the finish line is near.

“It's just being available, just playing through the little kinks that you might get through the season,” Reynolds said. “I mean, in college I played every game. I guess that's kind of always how I've been.”

Reynolds has been part of the Pirates' upward climb through the last few years. Now, with the team pushing closer toward postseason contention for 2027, he has shown up every day.

“This last September, we've got a good record, and that's pretty much at full strength,” Reynolds said. “So, [it] gives us some confidence to show us that we're capable of it. Obviously, we didn't do the ultimate goal, but a few steps in the right direction.”