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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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
The Pirates optioned Curtis to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
The right-hander received his first promotion to the big leagues Saturday and made his MLB debut in the second game of a doubleheader in Cleveland with five scoreless innings of bulk relief. Curtis should have a better chance of returning to the majors later this summer now that he's on the 40-man roster, though his 4.96 ERA in 18 appearances between the Double-A and Triple-A levels could be a limiting factor, even after his strong performance Saturday.
Valdez went 2-for-8 with a two-run home run, a double and three RBI across both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.
Valdez made both of his hits count, as he swatted a two-run home run in the first game and then tallied an RBI double in the latter contest. He continues to turn in impressive performances, as he now has a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-24 with five home runs, 13 RBI and seven runs scored.
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Pirates' Gregory Soto: Blows fifth save Saturday
Rotowire
Soto blew his fifth save of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing a hit and a walk in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.
With the Pirates trying to protect a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Soto was brought in to replace Brandon Eisert with one out and two men on. Instead of getting the job done, Soto let both inherited runners score on a wild pitch and a single. It's his third blown save since the beginning of June against five successful conversions, a stretch in which he's coughed up an 8.31 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 13 innings and put his spot as Pittsburgh's closer in significant jeopardy.
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Pirates' Khristian Curtis: Works as bulk reliever in nightcap
Rotowire
Curtis didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.
The Pirates elected to use Mason Montgomery as an opener for the nightcap before handing the ball to Curtis as the bulk reliever for his big-league debut, and the 24-year-old right-hander turned in an impressive performance. Curtis tossed 42 of 68 pitches for strikes and left the mound with Pittsburgh ahead 3-0, only to see the bullpen melt down late and cost him the win. He's struggled somewhat in the minors this season, managing a 4.96 ERA across 74.1 innings between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, but his 97:40 K:BB highlights his potential if he can sort out his control issues. Now that he's on the 40-man roster and has shown he can get big-league hitters out, he could be on the short list to join the rotation if Pittsburgh has a vacancy.
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Pirates' Jared Jones: Fans nine in second win
Rotowire
Jones (2-1) picked up the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out nine.
The right-hander set a season high in strikeouts in his ninth start since returning from Tommy John surgery in late May, tossing 48 of 74 pitches for strikes. Jones' workload is still being monitored by the Pirates -- he's topped 80 pitches just once so far in 2026 -- and he's lasted five frames only three times, but he's delivered a 4.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB over 40 innings. Jones will look to build on this result in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Cubs.
The Pirates signed Fletcher to a minor-league contract Friday.
Fletcher opted out of his minor-league pact with Pittsburgh earlier this month and tested the open market, only to return to the Pirates organization a little over two weeks later. In 42 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, Fletcher has slashed .288/.379/.511 with eight home runs and two stolen bases across 162 plate appearances.
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Pirates' Jacob Gonzalez: Taking seat in Game 2
Rotowire
Gonzalez isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.
Gonzalez will get a chance to rest his legs after launching his first homer as a Pirate in the early game as part of a 2-for-4 effort. While he sits, Jared Triolo will get the nod at shortstop.
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Pirates' Henry Davis: Sitting out nightcap
Rotowire
Davis isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland.
Davis went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in Saturday's matinee and will now get a chance to rest his legs during the nightcap. Rafael Flores will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth.
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Pirates' Mason Montgomery: Opening nightcap
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Montgomery will serve as the opening pitcher in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Montgomery will receive his fifth opening assignment of the season after giving up just two earned runs over 8.1 innings across his last nine outings. The 26-year-old southpaw has never completed two full innings in an appearance this season, so he'll likely secure just the first three outs of the game before turning things over to the Pirates' bullpen.
