Pirates' Mitch Keller: Pitching Game 1 of doubleheader
Rotowire
Keller will start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Keller will take the ball in Wednesday's matinee after Tuesday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather, causing the Pirates to participate in a third doubleheader since July 11. The right-hander has struggled to a 7.62 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 39 innings in his last eight starts, surrendering nine home runs over that stretch.
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Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Starting Game 2 of doubleheader
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Chandler will start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Chandler was set to start Tuesday before the game ended up being postponed due to poor weather, but he'll now handle Wednesday's nightcap. The right-hander has struggled to a 6.60 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with nine walks and 12 strikeouts over 15 innings in his last three starts.
Chandler won't pitch as scheduled Tuesday against the Yankees since the game was postponed due to a forecast of inclement weather, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The 23-year-old's first start coming out of the All-Star break will have to wait at least one more day, with Tuesday's game being made up via a doubleheader Wednesday. Chandler, who has a 4.77 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 85:55 K:BB over 94.1 innings this season, should start one of those contests in the twin bill.
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Pirates' Tony Blanco: Begins rehab assignment
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Blanco (hamstring) began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on July 17.
Per Mark Chiarelli of Baseball America, Blanco suffered a hamstring injury June 20. He also missed the first half of 2025 with a hamstring injury. Nagging muscle injuries aside, Blanco has arguably the most raw power in the minors and slashed .237/.319/.500 with 12 home runs, a 10 percent walk rate and a 29 percent strikeout rate in 49 games at High-A Greensboro.
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Pirates' Chris Devenski: Ready for rehab assignment
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Devenski (illness) was sent to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.
Devenski has been sidelined since early May due to an undisclosed illness, but he's finally been cleared to participate in games. Given the length of his absence, the veteran reliever will likely require a handful of rehab outings before rejoining the Pirates' active roster.
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Drubbed by Bronx Bombers
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Ashcraft (9-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out two across three innings.
Ashcraft's put the Pirates behind early after yielding four runs in the first inning, three of which came on a Jazz Chisholm homer. Ashcraft was handed a 5-4 lead by his teammates, but the left-hander gave that back to the Yankees with another four-run frame in the third. The hits and runs allowed were both career highs for Ashcraft who, despite a 4-1 record, has a 5.40 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over his last seven starts in 36.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Cubs at home this weekend.
Pirates' Spencer Horwitz: Ready for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Horwitz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on Tuesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Horwitz has been on the 10-day injured list since suffering a left hamstring strain June 24 against Seattle. However, his rehab has been trending in the right direction, and he'll take the next step Tuesday. Horwitz has missed nearly a month of action, so he figures to need at least a handful of at-bats in the minors before being activated.
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Pirates' Jacob Gonzalez: Taking seat against southpaw
Rotowire
Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.
The left-handed-hitting Gonzalez will retreat to the bench Monday while the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the bump for the series opener. Since being acquired from the White Sox on July 10, Gonzalez has made both of his starts at shortstop and has gone 3-for-10 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs through his first four games with the Pirates.
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Pirates' Jake Mangum: Resting against lefty
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Mangum is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.
The switch-hitting Mangum has been much more effective against right-handers (104 wRC+) than lefties (83 wRC+) over his first two big-league seasons, so he'll hit the bench Monday while the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the bump. With Mangum taking a seat, Billy Cook will receive the start in center field and will bat ninth.
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Pirates' Hunter Barco: Back in action at Triple-A
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Barco (elbow) struck out two and allowed two hits and two walks over three scoreless innings Saturday in an appearance for Triple-A Indianapolis after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.
Barco had been on the shelf since June 20 due to left elbow inflammation but was cleared to rejoin Indianapolis after completing a 1.2-inning rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League over the All-Star break. The southpaw owns a 4.54 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 48:20 K:BB in 41.2 innings across 12 appearances (six starts) for Indianapolis on the season.
Pirates' Billy Cook: Takes advantage of rare start
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Cook went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base Sunday against the Guardians.
Cook was in the lineup for only the fourth time since returning to the majors on June 10, and he took advantage of the opportunity. He played a key role in the Pirates' early offensive production, recording an RBI or a run scored in three of the first six innings. While it was a nice showing, Cook isn't a viable fantasy option due to his lack of playing time.
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Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez: Homers again in win
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Valdez went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and two RBI in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Guardians.
Valdez had a classic three-true-outcomes game, walking twice and striking out twice before launching a two-run shot in the ninth inning. The 22-year-old is now riding a seven-game hitting streak, going deep six times with 15 RBI and eight runs scored during that span. He's slashing a ridiculous .305/.373/.733 with 12 homers, 32 RBI and 23 runs scored across his first 118 major-league plate appearances.
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Pirates' Paul Skenes: Goes seven strong in win
Rotowire
Skenes (9-8) earned the win against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
Skenes allowed a run in the third inning but was impressive otherwise, generating 18 whiffs on 100 pitches en route to his third straight win. After surrendering seven earned runs in his first July start, the All-Star has yielded just five over his three victories since. He owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 138:26 K:BB across 115.1 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Cubs next weekend.
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