Yoshinobu Yamamoto's season has already been elite. After three starts in August, Yamamoto has reached another level. The Japanese ace has logged a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 innings while striking out 18 batters and walking just six. His marvelous month has brought his season ERA to 2.60 in 145

There might be a new two-way star from Asia on the way. South Korean native Seong-Jun Kim (Rangers No. 8) tossed a pair of scoreless frames with four strikeouts in his Single-A Hickory debut Wednesday night.

• Get tickets to a Minor League game Signed out of the international draft

The Nationals plan to reconstruct their Major League infield with the move of star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base. Another young star is also switching positions, with 2024 first-round pick Seaver King (Nationals No. 4, MLB Pipeline No. 71) making his professional debut at third base Wednesday night for

PITTSBURGH -- The negative noise around the Pirates’ ace had never been louder. Former No. 1 pick Paul Skenes hasn’t replicated the historic success of his first two Major League seasons. After a 65-pitch outing in Miami, Pittsburgh opted to give Skenes seven days before his next start, pushing him

PITTSBURGH – All Brandon Lowe could do was pray and watch. The veteran second baseman belted a fly ball to deep right field in the bottom of the ninth, with the game tied and likely future Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen on the mound. As the ball floated down

The Pirates on Wednesday acquired catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. Bethancourt, who was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis after being acquired, is expected to join Pittsburgh’s Major League taxi squad in Los Angeles this weekend. Bethancourt was not on the Yankees' 40-man roster, which is

PITTSBURGH -- Few players in the world can replicate the power Oneil Cruz produces. In his first game back off the 60-day injured list, Cruz showed off that power with a two-run shot in the fifth inning to give the Pirates a lead in their 4-1 win over the Tigers

PITTSBURGH – Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin is progressing in his return from the 60-day injured list. The 20-year-old shortstop is no longer wearing a splint on his left ring finger after a checkup with the team’s hand specialist and orthopedic surgeon, and he’ll head to Bradenton, Fla., when the Pirates

PITTSBURGH -- Peruse a Major League clubhouse and you’ll see baseball players enjoying their usual beverages. Whether coffee, protein shakes or good ol'-fashioned H2O, each athlete has their preference to refresh before game time. But orange juice? Leave that to Luke Weaver.

This story was excerpted from Aiden Stepansky's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH -- At 30 years old, Jake Mangum had not received an opportunity quite like this one. The Mets' 2019 fourth-round pick took five Minor League seasons to make the Majors, debuting for the Rays in 2025. After joining Pittsburgh in an offseason trade from Tampa Bay, Mangum became an

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz was activated off the 60-day injured list ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Tigers at PNC Park. He was not in the starting lineup as Pittsburgh takes on left-handed starter Framber Valdez, and did not play in the 8-5 loss. Cruz has

PITTSBURGH -- It’s the dog days of summer. The weather is muggy, bodies are sore and postseason spots are officially up for grabs. The Pirates are holding on for dear life. “You've been riding the bike for this long now,” veteran Brandon Lowe said pregame. “Just hold on to the

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates manager Don Kelly announced after Saturday night’s 4-0 loss to the Red Sox that Paul Skenes' scheduled start for Sunday will be pushed back to Wednesday. Kelly said the move was made to give the 24-year-old extra rest, while pushing the rest of the rotation back with

PITTSBURGH -- Rafael Flores Jr. completed a feat Friday night that had happened just five times by the Pirates in the last 21 seasons. The rookie hit his third home run in three straight at-bats dating back to Thursday's game in Miami. Flores unloaded for a second-inning solo shot Friday

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales exited Friday night’s game in the bottom of the fifth inning after a hit-by-pitch to the helmet. Gonzales was hit on a 94.3 mph four-seam fastball from Red Sox left-handed reliever Jovani Morán. Gonzales is being evaluated and treated for a facial contusion,

PITTSBURGH -- Termarr Johnson, the Pirates' 2022 first-round Draft pick, will miss the rest of 2026 with a torn left ACL and LCL. He’ll undergo surgery next Thursday and be examined in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper. Johnson injured the knee while lunging for first base in the top of

This story was excerpted from Aiden Stepansky's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Dylan Cease is known for his work on the mound, having started the All-Star Game for the American League and being among the leaders in the AL Cy Young race. But for one lucky fan, they’ll know Cease from his artwork. As part of the Sportsnet Jays Care Broadcast Auction,

This story was excerpted from Aiden Stepansky's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH -- We’re over a week into August, and the reigning National League Cy Young winner has yet to find a groove. Paul Skenes has a 3.96 ERA in 24 starts this season, more than double his ERA from his first two Major League seasons. With the Pirates falling further

Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu helped Boston stay red-hot with a 1.584 OPS and three homers this past week. Colorado’s Jake McCarthy recorded a hit in all six games while moving his 2026 batting average above the .300 mark. On Monday, they were named the AL and NL Players of

PITTSBURGH -- Mason Montgomery remembers being in Colorado when pitching coach Billy Murphy came to him with an idea. The left-hander already had a nasty arsenal involving a 100 mph four-seamer, a slider, a curveball and a changeup. But Murphy felt a two-seam fastball could make him even more dangerous.

PITTSBURGH -- Playing 17 games in 17 days is no easy feat. Especially for a Pirates team riddled with injuries and fighting for their postseason lives. The Pirates made it to the finish line, earning a day off Monday. Though after Sunday’s 11-1 loss to the Mets to finish the

PITTSBURGH -- Baseball fans in 2026 show off their fandom in myriad ways. To support newcomer Ronny Simon, Pirates fanatics on X changed their profile photos to the 26-year-old’s headshot. Simon’s headshot is likely to see more social-media circulation after his efforts on Saturday at PNC Park. The right fielder's