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

PHILADELPHIA — The MLB All-Star Futures Game has been a fun and impressive showcase for recent Pirates prospects, key pieces of the current big league team such as Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdez and Bubba Chandler. Seth Hernandez and Edward Florentino will get their turn on Sunday, July 12 at Citizens

PHILADELPHIA — Having experienced scant success against Cristopher Sanchez the last time the Pirates faced him back on May 16, manager Don Kelly decided to change things up Tuesday night. He stacked his lineup with right-handed hitters, who had a .710 OPS against Sanchez compared to a .352 mark for

PHILADELPHIA — The Pirates this season have talked a lot about resilience, highlighting how they’ve kept fighting and battled back while refusing to let negativity linger. They might’ve provided their best example of the season Monday in Philadelphia. Facing a five-run deficit and seemingly tracking toward another ugly loss at

PHILADELPHIA -- As the Pirates kept hitting, erupting for five runs in the fourth inning last Wednesday against the Mariners, Braxton Ashcraft stood at the far end of the home dugout at PNC Park, inching up the steps like a bull ready to charge out of the gate. It’s a

The home run was a glaring weakness with the Pirates in 2025. A year later, it has unquestionably become a strength. Looking to avoid a series sweep Sunday against the Reds at PNC Park, the Pirates again relied on the long ball, getting two home runs from Ryan O’Hearn and

Just when it looked like the Pirates might enjoy some late-inning magic, familiar frustration arrived in the form of their latest bullpen blowup. Esmerlyn Valdez delivered a pinch-hit homer to give the Pirates a one-run lead in the eighth, but Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suarez answered with a three-run shot

The Pirates certainly packed a lot into a short amount of time. They arrived at the midpoint of the season with a 41-40 record after Thursday’s 5-1 victory over the Mariners at PNC Park, which also happened to be Don Kelly’s 100th as Pirates manager. Further irony: They did it

On the golf course, Neal Shipley loves consulting his pin sheet, believing it increases his focus. The Mt. Lebanon native also appreciates caddies who keep copious notes, detailing every shot, the distance and wind involved, anything to “keep a little bit of the history.” Shipley finds the same solace with

Three batters into Wednesday’s game, this hardly looked like the latest gem for Braxton Ashcraft. Three singles allowed. Two that sizzled at least 103 mph off the bat. An early deficit for the Pirates. But if we’ve learned anything about Ashcraft this season, it’s centered around the idea of trust.

Pregame was different for Pirates general manager Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly on Wednesday, as they held a question-and-answer session for fans inside the press conference room at PNC Park. Those in attendance asked Cherington and Kelly to assess the team through half a season. They also wanted to

Jim Trdinich couldn’t decide where to start. Standing inside PNC Park’s brand new Legacy Hall, which replaced the old team store at the base of the rotunda, the Pirates team historian simply looked around and marveled. “There’s so much stuff here,” Trdinich said. “It’s the ultimate fan cave and a

DENVER — The same as those who follow his team, Ben Cherington won’t deny that the Pirates offense has lost some of its punch without Konnor Griffin in June and Oneil Cruz for the past two weeks. At the same time, Pittsburgh’s general manager isn’t comfortable making excuses. Though he

DENVER — Nearly at the midway point of their season, in an outcome probably only a few creative thinkers expected, the Pirates have formed an identity, a facet of their game they can return to when things go awry. Offense? Yes, offense. It took longer than anyone wearing black and

DENVER -- Billy Cook’s spike did indeed make contact with Kyle Karros’ glove. It’s frustrating, sure. But it’s technically obstruction, the call ending the Pirates’ 2-1 loss to the Rockies on Saturday at Coors Field. Paul Skenes also pitched well, despite concern among the fanbase regarding his velocity. Skenes delivered

DENVER — It takes a lot to surprise Isaac Mattson in the game of baseball. The Erie native and Pitt product has played in the Frontier League and Atlantic League. He’s been traded, released and removed from the 40-man roster. The right-handed reliever also became a reliable setup man in

WEST SACRAMENTO — As Pirates players celebrated and packed bags inside the cramped visitors’ clubhouse at Sutter Health Park, Marcell Ozuna took a minute to soak in the scene. Can you blame him? It had been more than a month since Ozuna’s last homer before he went deep in the