Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Options Pirates Could Consider For Closer Role

As relief pitcher David Bednar struggles in the spring games, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a closer problem. From 2021-23, the popular right-hander from nearby Mars, Pennsylvania, had 61 saves, a 2.25 ERA, and 1.063 WHIP.

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Paul Skenes could be more dangerous for Pirates in 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is only getting better. In a week, Paul Skenes will take the mound on Opening Day for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hoping to build off of an incredible 2024 campaign that saw him win NL Rookie of the Year honors.

Jared Jones News / Bucs Dugout / March 20

Jared Jones dealing with elbow soreness, out for the rest of Spring Training

Things were just too good to be true with this rotation. The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Jared Jones has been shut down for the rest of Spring Training, and will miss his last scheduled start of the pre-season.

MLB News / New Baseball Media / March 20

2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates fans had a lot to feel good about last season. Jared Jones and Paul Skenes became impact pitchers, and while the Pirates won 76 games, were competitive headed into the summer last year.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 19

Paul Skenes reveals brash message from top prospect ahead of opening day start

Bubba Chandler, the 22-year-old Pirates pitching prospect, wasted no time responding to Paul Skenes securing Pittsburgh’s 2025 Opening Day start. With a playful but confident message, Chandler made it clear he’s aiming to take over that role by next season.

MLB News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 19

Why insiders think Tarik Skubal is best pitcher in baseball over Paul Skenes

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes burst onto the scene in 2024. One year after dominating college baseball at LSU, Skenes was mowing down hitters in the majors with his sizzling triple digit four-seam fastball and devastating splinker.

Jared Jones News / Field Level Media / March 19

Pirates RHP Jared Jones (elbow discomfort) sidelined

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones will miss his final Spring Training start with right elbow discomfort with no estimate on when he can start throwing again.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Minor League Baseball on SI / March 19

Former Top-100 Prospect in the Mix For Opening Day Roster Spot with Pittsburgh Pirates

Former top prospect Nick Yorke could begin the year as the starting first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to a recent report from Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Jared Jones News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 19

Pirates skipping Jared Jones' next start due to elbow discomfort

The Pirates provided an ominous update on one of their most promising young players Wednesday, when manager Derek Shelton announced that righty Jared Jones would have his next start skipped due to elbow discomfort (link via Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

Paul Skenes News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 18

Paul Skenes gets 100% real on Pirates’ chances of competing in 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates won only 76 games last year. But excitement is brewing around the Steel City’s baseball team for the first time in a decade. They have a superstar pitcher in former first-overall pick Paul Skenes and the Pirates have a chance at the playoffs because of it.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / March 18

Pirates cut spring training roster to 42 players in MLB camp

Delay and Hall’s departures make the path to naming a backup catcher and starting first baseman clearer. The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to shrink their Major League roster in spring training before the beginning of the 2025 season.

Paul Skenes News / Fastball on SI / March 18

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Paul Skenes Poised to Break Longstanding Record on Opening Day

Paul Skenes has made a habit of smashing records since breaking into the big leagues, and he will continue to do so later this month. The Pittsburgh Pirates, to the surprise of no one, named Skenes as their Opening Day starter over the weekend.

Bubba Chandler News / Minor League Baseball on SI / March 18

Pittsburgh Pirates' Top Prospect Named Possible Rookie of the Year By Noted Insider

After seeing him strike out four batters in the Spring Breakout game for the Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB.com's Jim Callis is all-in on top prospect Bubba Chandler.

Paul Skenes News / Bucs Dugout / March 18

Paul Skenes to appear on cover of MLB The Show

Whether the field be dirt and grass, or 4k pixels, Paul Skenes is throwing heat! MLB The Show 25 has officially hit the shelves and online stores of Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, with several new gameplay features as players try to take over the baseball metaverse across various game modes.

Konnor Griffin News / Bucs Dugout / March 18

Pirates top prospect making ‘biggest impression’ in Spring Training

The Pittsburgh Pirates are liking what they have in their latest first-round draft pick. The Pittsburgh Pirates made Konnor Griffin their first-round pick last season, and while he likely isn’t going to play for the big league club in 2025, he is still impressing in Bradenton.

Bubba Chandler News / Bucs Dugout / March 17

Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates prospects showcase at Spring Breakout

Chandler struck out four Phillies prospects in two clean frames. The battle of Pennsylvania commenced in the 2025 Spring Breakout game for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies last week.

MLB News / CBSSports.com / March 17

2025 MLB Opening Day starter tracker: Paul Skenes gets call for Pirates, Padres turn to Michael King

The regular season is almost upon us and managers are getting their ducks (and rotations) in a row

Paul Skenes News / CBSSports.com / March 17

2025 MLB Opening Day starter tracker: Paul Skenes gets call for Pirates, Blue Jays give honor to José Berrios

The regular season is almost upon us and managers are getting their ducks (and rotations) in a row

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Athlon Sports / March 16

The Pittsburgh Pirates Made the Least Surprising Announcement Ever

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year, who is arguably the most dominant first-year pitcher in decades, will take the mound on Opening Day. While many of us suspected this since last Halloween, it is now confirmed.

Justin Bruihl News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 16

Blue Jays sign left-hander to minors deal

He elected minor league free agency at the end of the 2024 season, after he had been outrighted off the Pirates’ 40-man roster back in July.

MLB News / Inside The Diamonds / March 14

Spring Breakout Recap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Pittsburgh Pirates top prospects took on the Philadelphia Phillies top prospects today in the Spring Breakout. The Pirates had two prospects in the Top 100 by ITD in RHP Bubba Chandler and second baseman Konnor Griffin.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / March 12

Impressions From Pirates Spring Training: Part 3

From the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training camp in Bradenton, interesting stories emerge faster than a guy can write about them. Thus, I present Part Three of my “Impressions” series that has gripped the baseball-following public, although as an Impressionist I don’t put myself in the same category as Claude Monet, for example.

Yasmani Grandal News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 10

Free-agent catcher reportedly turned down past offer from Braves

According to reporter Francys Romero, the Braves made an offer to free agent catcher Yasmani Grandal “about a month ago.” Needless to say, Grandal, who remains unsigned, turned down the proposed deal.

Tsung-Che Cheng News / Pittsburgh Baseball Now / March 7

One Prospect Off to Needed Strong Start at Pirates Spring Training

One of the benefits of spring training to a player coming off a down year is that it serves as blank slate, a turn of the page if you will. Players who didn’t perform well the previous year get a chance to implement adjustments they made during the offseason to generate better results.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Baseball Now / March 6

Bubba Chandler, Konnor Griffin Headline Pirates Spring Breakout Roster

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced their 2025 Spring Breakout roster, headlined by top prospects Bubba Chandler and Konnor Griffin. The Spring Breakout game made its debut last season, featuring games that showcased each organization’s prospects to highlight the future of Major League Baseball.