Ryan O’Hearn. Again. Three run homer. Again. 10 RBI on the night, a new Pirates franchise record. A three-homer night gives him 100 in his career.

Outfielder Joshua Palacios has signed a minor league contract with the Pirates. He will report to Triple-A Indianapolis

Other Pirate injury notes: Oneil Cruz is swinging a bat. Spencer Horwitz has started a running program in Bradenton. Wilber Dotel will pitch for Altoona. Evan Sisk is dealing with a posterior left elbow. He is resting

Pirates will place Konnor Griffin on the injured list this afternoon

Brandon Lowe was snubbed for the All-Star Game. Given the other second basemen on the potential replacement waiting list, I’m not optimistic he’ll get a call. Instead, he may have to settle for having the greatest season ever for a Pirate second baseman. youtu.be/csXmzjs98fY?...

According to Baseball Reference, Bryan Reynolds has been worth more WAR than 15 of the National League’s 21 position player All-Stars

The Pirates have lost Paul Skenes’ last nine starts. I don’t know what’s wrong for sure, but from his mechanics, his dipping fastball velo and how he’s throwing his offspeed pitches, I have some theories. Here are nine thoughts on the ace’s nine game losing streak: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

RHP Seth Hernandez and OF Edward Florentino will represent the Pirates at the Future’s Game

In 1971, the Pirates offense took its greatest leap in year-to-year offensive production, and that lineup was dubbed the Lumber Company. Not only is the year-to-year improvement greater in 2026, they’re producing just about as much as the Lumber Company: youtu.be/BTs2_PdyelA?...

Esmerlyn Valdez is the sixth player in the Modern Era to go on a four-game homer streak within his first 16 MLB games (and the first Pirate). The list, via Stathead:

Endy Rodríguez readopted a leg kick in 2025 to try to help his timing. This spring, a coach suggested making that a toe tap. He tried it out and he's having his best offensive season. I think Endy is going to stay hot. Here are my second half predictions: bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/buy-or-sel...

I’ve seen the Pirates trade for a bunch of utility players over the past seven years. VanMeter, Mathias, Park, Castillo, Marcano. None of them had a swing path as clean as Callihan’s. Might be something here.

Don Kelly said Tuesday he expects us to see a different Marcell Ozuna down the stretch. I’m not buying it, but all parties should hope Kelly is right, because this might go down as one of the worst signings in franchise history otherwise. Today’s OffBeat: youtu.be/jZDb7hMs2Zg?...

Don Kelly says Konnor Griffin will start a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona starting Wednesday

The Pirates made the first of what needs to be several bullpen trades Thursday night, but what they really showed was they are willing to go all-in on two catchers who have plenty of question marks. My column for Book-Rule Bucs: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

Mitch Keller has leaned into his four-seamer and has thrown more sliders, curves and cutters off it. The sweeper is his best pitch, but if he can’t locate the sinker, hitters aren’t chasing and he’s throwing it less. I believe this is the wrong pitch mix: youtu.be/Hwz8muFvawY?...

Mitch Keller is in the worst stretch of his career since early 2022. I tried to diagnose the issues and look at what’s different for Book-Rule Bucs: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

That’s game. Pirates 9, Dodgers 8. Tyler Callihan with his first two home runs, including a go-ahead shot in the eighth. Spencer Horwitz with a dinger in the 8th, too. Pirates survive their bullpen surrendering six runs. Pirates are 35-33.

Konnor Griffin told media Tuesday he expected to do some light throwing Wednesday. Per director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Griffin began throwing plyos last weekend and will meet with team physicians this week to be potentially cleared for a formal throwing program.

Paul Skenes has allowed 15 runs over 20 innings in his last four starts. You can see him speed up in his delivery. Out of the 109 pitches he threw Wednesday, he threw the splinker just once. I talked about Skenes’ first MLB slump for today’s OffBeat: youtu.be/LeHm20Ozdyo?...

Brandon Lowe is off to one of the greatest starts to his Pirates tenure in franchise history. I get there’s a lot of concern about his future with the club, but when a win-now trade actually pays off, be sure to enjoy the present. youtu.be/CFMEIBen26U?...

Carmen Mlodzinski is expected to return from the restricted list Tuesday. Ben Cherington says Sunday’s matter will be resolved if he does. But how he handled going to the bullpen impacted his teammates and is a poor reflection on himself. Today’s OffBeat: youtu.be/umEHxS9eG-g?...

That's game. Pirates 9, Twins 3. Braxton Ashcraft struck out 11 and didn't walk a batter. Ryan O'Hearn homered in his first game back from the injured list. Nick Gonzales hit his first homer of the year. Pirates are 32-28.

Ben Cherington said Carmen Mldozinski informed the Pirates today that he was not ready to pitch Sunday. The team placed him on the restricted list. Cherington is confident Mlodzinski will pitch for the Pirates "very soon." No trade request has been made.

The Pirates have placed Carmen Mlodzinski on the restricted list. Cam Sanders recalled from Triple-A

Pirates are activating Ryan O’Hearn from the injured list. Konnor Griffin to the IL

Jared Jones was asked Thursday if he was the same pitcher we saw in 2024. On Friday, he showed us something we didn’t see as a rookie: a changeup- and curveball-heavy approach. Read for free at Book-Rule Bucs: bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/stumpf-jon...

Bryan Reynolds calls game. Walkoff two-run shot. Pirates 6, Twins 5. Pirates are 30-28

Don Kelly says Jared Jones will start for the Pirates Friday. Carmen Mlodzinski to the bullpen

That’s game. Cubs 10, Pirates 4. Bad middle relief and outfield defense. Yet again. Pirates are now 29-27. Cubs snap a 10-game losing streak

Don Kelly said Jared Jones threw a “normal” bullpen Tuesday. 25ish pitches. Should know where he makes his next appearance tomorrow

That’s game. Pirates 12, Cubs 1. Good ol’ fashioned butt whoopin’. Ashcraft spins 6 1/3 innings. Homers by Valdez and Horwitz. Pirates are 29-26.

Spencer Horwitz is batting leadoff today. I talked about why he should be moved up in the order for today’s OffBeat: youtu.be/zSmq01lqJMM?...

Sources: the Pirates are recalling RHP Wilber Dotel and optioning RHP Isaac Mattson. The bullpen has struggled lately, so the Pirates are giving one of their top pitching prospects another shot in the majors.

Bubba Chandler has added new pitches this season, but it hasn't helped his control issues so far. I took a deeper dive, and there's a pretty noticeable change in his arm angle. I wrote about Chandler's struggles for Book-Rule Bucs. Read it here: bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/stumpf-try...

Nick Yorke has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after today’s game, per Pirates. A corresponding move will be made Tuesday

That's game. Phillies 6, Pirates 0. This weekend, Ryan O'Hearn hit the IL, the Pirates blew a 6-0 lead in game one, didn't score a run in games two or three, Paul Skenes was tagged for five runs and the team fell to last place in the division. Pirates are now 24-23.

Trade: The Pirates have acquired High-A RHP Kyle Robinson from the Athletics for INF Alika Williams

That’s game. Pirates 7, Rockies 2. Ryan O’Hearn had three hits and a homer. Endy Rodríguez with a couple hits and a walk. Pirates take the series. They are 24-20.

Joey Bart has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left foot infection, retroactive to Sunday. Endy Rodríguez has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Outfielder Jhostynxon García’s rehab assignment is complete and he has returned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

RHP Brandan Bidois is in the Pirates’ clubhouse. No official move at this time. May just be taxi squad.

A quality all-Bucco grid imo

Don Kelly took over as the Pirates’ manager exactly one year ago. The former player who was DFA’d nine times did what he did best in that first year as manager: survive. Now he has the chance to build and live. More in a column for Book-Rule Bucs: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

Yohan Ramírez once passed through a quarter of the MLB clubhouses in a three-year stretch. Now he's one of the top performers in the Pirates' bullpen. I took a look at his arm slot, his pitch mix and his vicious tunnels for Book-Rule Bucs. Read it here: bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/stumpf-ram...

That's game. Pirates 1, Reds 0. Braxton Ashcraft was brilliant. Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz were clutch late. Gregory Soto got the last four outs. Pirates sweep the Reds. They are 19-16.

"It’s been fun. It’s been challenging. I feel like I’m getting better.” Konnor Griffin has taken 100 Major League plate appearances. There has been some good, some bad, some changes. I dove into the data and chatted with Griffin for today's Book-Rule Bucs: bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/stumpf-tak...

Three thoughts as the Cardinals sweep the Pirates: substack.com/profile/1630...

That's game. Cardinals 10, Pirates 5. Ugly ballgame. Ugly series. Skenes allowed a career-high eight hits as the Pirates are swept in a four-game home set. Losing streak is now five games. Pirates finish April 16-16.

From Pirates PR: With Brandon Lowe’s homer, the Pirates have three players with 20+ RBIs in April for the first time ever. Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn have 20, Oneil Cruz has 26.