NEW YORK -- One has nothing to do with the other, Dennis Santana insisted. But given the frustration Santana showed in the eighth inning Monday, yelling at Yankees shortstop José Caballero for taking too long to get in the batter’s box, it’s hard to believe it’s entirely independent of how

NEW YORK -- When David Bednar returned to the home clubhouse at Yankee Stadium after playing catch on Monday afternoon, there was a surprise waiting at his locker. Twenty-four of them, in fact. Before the Pirates arrived in New York, Bednar half-jokingly asked Pittsburgh’s assistant clubhouse manager Nik Cook and

CLEVELAND — Back with another collection of tidbits from Sunday’s Pirates Insider Show … Ben Cherington described the Pirates’ bullpen issues this season as “a pretty focused area” when it comes to improving the team. But the general manager emphasized that immediate fixes would have to come internally. Asked how

CLEVELAND — The biggest game of Billy Cook’s career was amazingly preceded by the biggest moment of his personal life. While many of his Pirates teammates were vacationing or otherwise relaxing last week over the All-Star break, Cook got married. Yes, married. “It wasn’t a courthouse thing,” Cook said. “We

CLEVELAND — The story of the game was the Pirates bullpen blowing another save, but Jared Jones’ frustration was impossible to ignore back on June 27 against the Reds at PNC Park. It was Jones’ sixth start back from internal brace surgery. Cincinnati tagged him for four runs (three earned)

PHILADELPHIA -- Forget Paul Skenes’ velocity, Braxton Ashcraft’s ascent or the Pirates' bullpen struggling. The wildest first-half storyline with this team has been a screeching and squealing offensive U-turn, Pittsburgh going from worst to (tied for) first in runs scored and flipping this facet from weakness to strength. It should’ve

PHILADELPHIA -- While the outside world spent plenty of time over the past few months pondering what’s wrong with Paul Skenes -- the dip in velocity, nine games without a win -- the Pirates ace has remained methodical. Skenes hasn’t wavered. He trusts his process and believes the under-the-hood numbers

PHILADELPHIA — Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft are both good at pitching. That much was established long ago and reaffirmed by their trip to the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. But along with being talented, they’re also smart, insightful and sneaky funny. While tackling plenty of serious topics

PHILADELPHIA — Before Paul Skenes and Braxton Ashcraft took their seats along Ashburn Alley beyond the outfield at Citizens Bank Park on Monday afternoon, Skenes made sure to introduce Ashcraft to his good friend and Plum native Pat McAfee, who was broadcasting live from the MLB All-Star Game. It was

PHILADELPHIA -- Edward Florentino walked onto the field at Citizens Bank Park Sunday morning and soaked in the scene, gazing into the stands and around at some of baseball’s top prospects. Inside the National League clubhouse, Florentino turned to his right and saw his High-A Greensboro teammate, Seth Hernandez, the

The Pirates have indeed traded their Competitive Balance-A Round Pick for help, and it will address needs at shortstop with Konnor Griffin’s injury and in the bullpen. Late Friday, the Pirates flipped the 34th overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft to the White Sox for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and

As his teammates were busy preparing to face the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on Wednesday, Mitch Keller sat in the Pirates dugout, chatting with someone who has become a close friend: 9-year-old Jordon Kessler of Verona. Joined by his younger brother Jonah and their mom and dad, Aubrey and

The Pirates have been bitten by the injury bug. Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz are rehabbing in Florida. Konnor Griffin will be out until September with a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger. But as general manager Ben Cherington sees it, none of that changes the Pirates’ goals

Ryan O’Hearn is unquestionably one of the nicest players on the Pirates roster, the guy who organizes charity trips on the road, who treats everyone the same and ensures guys feel comfortable. But on a few occasions this season, O’Hearn hasn’t been afraid to stand his ground. The topic has

Braxton Ashcraft is more than a deserving All-Star — he is one. Ashcraft will replace Paul Skenes for the MLB All-Star Game next Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the league announced on Tuesday. The move comes after Skenes said Saturday he'd pitch on Tuesday and Sunday of this

A collection of tidbits from Sunday’s Pirates Insider Show … Obviously don’t bet on baseball. That’s very, very bad. And illegal. But there are a few bets the Pirates are making that general manager Ben Cherington and I discussed Sunday on the Pirates Insider Show. The Pirates are 46-45 entering

WASHINGTON — Eighty players arrived at Truist Park last July for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. But as they flew home or to their team’s next road city, an unlikely pair boarded the same charter flight bound for Tampa, Fla. One played for the Rays, the other the Orioles. They

WASHINGTON — When Konnor Griffin stepped into the batter’s box in the top of the eighth inning Sunday, the task for the Pirates felt as tall as the Washington Monument. Looking to end their road trip with a winning record, the Pirates had gone just 2 for 12 with runners

WASHINGTON — Pirates manager Don Kelly was thrilled to tell Paul Skenes he was an All-Star for the third time in three seasons. It’s a tremendous accomplishment, even if Skenes downplayed some by referencing Chris Sale making the Midsummer Classic 10 times. “He’s certainly earned it,” Kelly said of Skenes.

WASHINGTON -- Contrary to 2025, slugging has not been an issue for the Pirates this season. In fact, they began Saturday’s game with the fourth-highest slugging percentage in MLB and the second-best OPS. The Pirates didn’t slug much on the Fourth of July at Nationals Park, perhaps saving the fireworks

WASHINGTON — The trade the Pirates made more than two weeks ago might finally bear fruit, as Hunter Stratton joined the Major League team for Saturday’s game at Nationals Park following a short stint with Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room for Stratton on the active roster, the Pirates placed Evan

WASHINGTON — Paul Skenes isn’t the only starting pitcher the Pirates need to get back on track. There’s also been ample and valid concern over Mitch Keller ... and what he did Friday figures to turn that up a few notches. Despite working 17 1/3 innings and pitching to a

PHILADELPHIA — Despite their overall offensive production, the Pirates have experienced issues this season hitting with runners in scoring position. In the finale of a four-game series in Philadelphia on Thursday, they turned to magic for help. Esmerlyn Valdez, a rookie nicknamed “The Magician,” came up clutch in several situations

PHILADELPHIA — It looks like the All-Star break might arrive at a good time for Paul Skenes. The Pirates, who’ve now dropped each of Skenes’ last nine starts, must hope a little time off does the trick. Whatever the case, Skenes did not have a good night Wednesday during the

PHILADELPHIA -- As the typical pre-series hitters’ meeting dispersed and Pirates players filtered back into the home clubhouse Monday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, one interaction stood apart from the others. Konnor Griffin had his arm around Esmerlyn Valdez, the two incredible rookies laughing about something. Spend any time around