CINCINNATI — Jake Mangum knows a sideways look or awkward conversation could be coming. When the Pirates return to Great American Ball Park on Thursday, it’s technically the scene of the crime — theft. Or Mangum asking a visiting clubhouse attendant for a traffic cone ... and then the team

Twenty-four hours earlier, Brandon Lowe stood in the same spot and described one of the unfortunate realities of baseball, especially when the stakes are raised. “Baseball’s a very interesting game,” Lowe said. “It can humble the crap out of you. I say this all the time. It’s the only game

Brandon Lowe knows the look and feel of winning baseball, the need for resilience, the execution, how it energizes the crowd. The Pirates second baseman also believes this team has what it takes to reach that step of the journey and succeed. Which is why the focus for him this

When Josh Harrison returned to PNC Park last month — his first time back since 2023 — the Pirates fan favorite tried to stay low-key. It didn’t work. Harrison bounced from conversation to conversation, only catching glimpses of the game, but there was one interaction that stood out more than

The external competition was obvious. After two losses to open their biggest homestand in a decade, in the thick of a playoff race, the Pirates needed to salvage a game Sunday against the Cubs. They accomplished that goal with an 8-7 victory at PNC Park, but there was an internal

Jay Johnson has won two NCAA national championships as the head coach of LSU's baseball program, but he described Saturday as "one of the coolest nights of my coaching career." That's because instead of winning games and titles -- a big part of the past five years for Johnson at

Given how much time he’s missed over the past few seasons, pretty much the last place Endy Rodríguez wants to be is on a rehab assignment. But the Pirates catcher remains upbeat, especially considering the injury that knocked him out of the lineup has subsided. “I feel pretty good,” Rodríguez

NEW YORK — The length of a baseball season allows for many different types of days. There are doubleheaders, which the Pirates can’t seem to avoid, plus getaway days, rain delays, slogs and quick games. One Yohan Ramirez has yet to experience: a bad day. The Pirates reliever might be

The Pirates have added right-handed relief help, and they’ve more than likely moved on from one of their top relievers from 2024-25 to make it happen. Pittsburgh acquired right-hander Ron Marinaccio, 31, from the Padres on Wednesday in a trade for international signing bonus pool considerations and designated reliever Dennis

NEW YORK -- Late Wednesday night did not offer much opportunity for perspective. The Pirates suffered a 2-0 loss after they struck out 12 times, bringing their daily total to 29. The decision to replace Bubba Chandler with Brandon Eisert after 6 1/3 innings and 84 pitches obviously proved costly.

NEW YORK — When Pirates players dispersed for the All-Star break 10 days ago, there was arguably no bigger question mark than Mitch Keller. The right-hander had lasted just three innings in his previous start. Over his last 11, Keller had a 7.03 ERA while ceding 11 home runs in

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