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Pirates trade‑deadline push: injuries and wild‑card swing

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-02 18:55 UTC → 2026-08-02 22:44 UTC · added removed

Pirates trade‑deadline push: win narrows injuries and wild‑card gap swing

The Pittsburgh Pirates remain on the cusp of locked in a postseason berth as trade‑deadline scramble while the August 3 trade deadline approaches. wild‑card race tightens. After adding former top‑20 prospect Robert Hassell III and right‑hander reliever Ron Marinaccio, the club continues to evaluate relievers such as Mason Miller, Luke Weaver and Jeff Hoffman has continued to improve a shuffle its bullpen that ranks in and protect key prospects. Shortstop Konnor Griffin, who landed on the league’s bottom third 10‑day IL with a 4.42 ERA. General manager Ben Cherington says payroll can be added, but financial flexibility forearm strain in late May, has begun a structured throwing progression at the Bradenton complex and is limited, slated for a rehab assignment once his volume and the front office distance increase, according to GM Ben Cherington. The team is urged also coping with injuries to protect key farmhands—including right‑hander Seth Hernandez, third‑baseman Murf Gray and outfielder Edward Florentino—while negotiating any deals. Oneil Cruz, who suffered a fractured left hand sliding into home plate, and reliever Wilber Dotel, who is dealing with a lat strain. On the field, third baseman Nick Gonzales has extended his hitting streak to 15 games, though his -11 defensive runs saved rating raises concerns. The Pirates sit 55‑56, two games behind the third Pirates’ wild‑card spot, and have been hampered by injuries to Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) and Evan Sisk (elbow). Veteran outfielder Bryan Reynolds and pitcher hopes wavered on August 2 when starter Mitch Keller have both signed long‑term, high‑value extensions, underscoring President Travis Williams’s “playoffs‑or‑bust” mantra for was removed after two innings of a 10‑2 loss to the 2026 season. The Cincinnati Reds, leaving Pittsburgh three‑and‑a‑half games behind the Phillies. Later that day, the club snapped halted a four‑game losing streak skid with a 4–1 4‑1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on August 1, same Reds, as Braxton Ashcraft delivered five strong innings and a rain delay stretched the game nearly two hours. The win that kept Pittsburgh the Pirates within striking distance of the final wild‑card spot. Braxton Ashcraft delivered five strong innings, and the offense received RBI contributions from Reynolds, Esmerlyn Valdez, Gonzales and Henry Davis. A nearly two‑hour rain delay punctuated the game, and reliever Carmen Mlodzinski added three scoreless innings before Gregory Soto recorded his 14th save. In early June, shortstop Konnor Griffin was placed on spot, though the 10‑day injured list with a low‑grade forearm strain. After light throwing and ground‑ball work, he is expected to begin a formal throwing program later this week, with imaging confirming his ulnar collateral ligament gap remains stable and surgery is not required. narrow as the deadline looms.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-02 22:44 UTC Pirates trade‑deadline push: injuries and wild‑card swing
  2. 2026-08-02 18:55 UTC Pirates trade‑deadline push: win narrows wild‑card gap
  3. 2026-08-02 05:48 UTC Pirates trade‑deadline push: win narrows wild‑card gap
  4. 2026-08-01 20:25 UTC Pirates trade‑deadline push: bullpen, prospects, playoffs

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