(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The MLB announced today that Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft will replace fellow Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game next Tuesday, July 14th in Philadelphia.

Skenes was the only Pirate player to make it to the National League’s team this year, but since he stated on Saturday that he is pitching tonight’s game against the Atlanta Braves and Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park, he is ineligible to play in the 2026 edition of baseball’s all-star game.

Ashcraft’s 2026 statistics going into his next start against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on Friday include 122 strikeouts, an ERA of 3.24 and a 9-3 record.

Skenes also requested for Ashcraft to take his place, and this makes Ashcraft a first-time MLB All-Star.

(Credit for Photo: The Pirates’ Konnor Griffin runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Reds, Friday, June 26, 2026, at PNC Park, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said today that the team placed shortstop Konnor Griffin on the 10-day injured list with a torn sagittal band, which stabilizes the extensor tendon, in his left ring finger. 

He will not be expected back for the Pirates until at least September and this injury occurred during the team’s game against the Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C. on Sunday when Griffin was making a diving catch. 

His estimated timeline is eight to ten weeks and Tomczyk confirmed that his injury will be splinted for six weeks. 

The twenty-year-old rookie already missed nearly a month for the Pirates this season because of a flexor strain in his right forearm and has played just eight games since returning from that first injury on June 26th. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates shortshop Konnor Griffin, front, makes a diving catch on a popup hit by Washington Nationals’ Keibert Ruiz for an out during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to ESPN Senior MLB Insider Jeff Passan, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortshop Konnor Griffin has been diagnosed with a torn tendon in his left ring finger and could be sidelined for at least a month.

Griffin’s status is day-to-day and he injured that finger while he was making a diving catch during the Pirates’ game against the Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C. on Sunday.

Griffin has already missed about a month for the Pirates this season with a right forearm strain.

He was put on the injured list for the forearm strain injury on May 31st and returned to play for the Pirates on June 26th.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Penguins signed four restricted free agents to new contracts with the team on Sunday. Right winger Egor Chinakov signed for three more years which carries a price tag of $6.3 million. 

Chinakov was acquired by the Penguins via a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 29th, 2025 that sent left winger Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to Columbus.

Goaltender Arturs Silovs signed a one-year contract which is worth $2.8 million. 

Silovs was acquired by the Penguins via a trade with the Vancouver Canucks that sent forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Vancouver. 

The Penguins also signed recently acquired center David Gustafsson and goaltender Joel Blomqvist to new deals. 

Gustafsson signed a two-year contract that has a salary cap hit of $835,000 and he was acquired by the Penguins on June 29th in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets that sent defenseman Jack St. Ivany to Winnipeg. 

Blomqvist agreed to a contract for two years with a salary cap hit of $875,000 and he completed his third season with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the filing of criminal charges in Harrisburg regarding the 2024 death of a Bucknell University student who collapsed during a hazing incident on campus and died two days later.

Calvin “CJ” Dickey, Jr., of Florida, was on campus on July 10th, 2024, for the first day of his freshman football practice when he was directed to do extensive calisthenics that put him in risk of death due to his Sickle Cell trait.

Mark Kulbis, who was Bucknell University’s strength and conditioning coach at the time, subjected Dickey to the hazing, even after he was made aware of Dickey’s medical condition and received training from the university on Sickle Cell trait and state law and NCAA standards regarding hazing.

Sunday’s office charged Kulbis today with felony aggravated hazing and misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing.

Kulbis surrendered late this morning and was arraigned on the charges. His bail was set at an unsecured $10,000.

The investigation shows that prior to the first-day practice on July 10th, 2024, Kulbis subjected Dickey, and other players, to 100 “up-downs” and several full-body plank drills. which are both considered extraneous calisthenic exercises. This was done in spite of training and direction from other coaches that such exercises were not appropriate or safe for use as part of training.

Dickey, who was recruited to play lineman positions, was visibly struggling with the exercises and Kulbis, who was the only coach in the training room, did not summon help until Dickey passed out.

Dickey was treated at an area hospital, but died on July 12th, 2024. An autopsy determined that his death was caused by Kulbis subjecting Dickey to the exercises in combination with Dickey’s Sickle Cell trait, body weight, and exertional rhabdomyolysis.

The Pennsylvania Legislature made the aggravated hazing charge law in response to the hazing death of Penn State University student Tim Piazza in 2017.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone, which is presented by Visit PA, has added another watch party at Acrisure Stadium so soccer fans can cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team as it faces Belgium in a FIFA World
Cup 2026™ knockout round.

This watch party will take place tonight for that night’s 8 p.m. match between the United States and Belgium with the gates opening at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and the public can watch the game and the first 500 fans that go through the gates will receive a free Team USA hat.

There will also be one giveaway item for each guest, while supplies last.

According to a release form the Pittsburgh Steelers, here is some other information about this event.

For more information on the Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone in Pittsburgh, go to https://acrisurestadium.com/event/world-cup-fan-zone-july-4-2026

CLEAR BAG POLICY: The NFL Clear Bag Policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be
brought into the stadium will be enforced. Learn more by visiting https://acrisurestadium.com/guest-services/clear-bag-policy/

CASHLESS VENUE: The stadium is a cashless venue. Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google
Pay are accepted.

PROHIBITED ITEMS: For a list of prohibited items, please visit https://acrisurestadium.com/guest-services/security-guidelines/?spMailingID=13757208&spUserID=ODgxNjQwMTQ4MTc4S0&spJobID=2480014227&spReportId=MjQ4MDAxNDIyNwS2

Fans can watch from the field
where additional restrictions apply: no blankets and no food or beverages (except water).

(Credit for  Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Posted on Facebook on July 4th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The 2026 MLB All-Star game rosters were revealed on Saturday and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has made the National League team for the third year in a row. 

The 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner is a part of the reserves for the National League this year after he was the starting pitcher for that league in the 2024 and 2025 editions of baseball’s all-star game.

Skenes is also the only player from this year’s Pirates team to be represented in this year’s MLB all-star game, which will take place in Philadelphia on July 14th.

Skenes’ 2026 statistics going into his next start tomorrow against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park include 119 strikeouts, a 3.62 ERA, and a 6-8 record.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Texas Rangers designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (4) in the fith inning of a baseball game May 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves signed former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a minor league contract on Friday in their ongoing search for a veteran who can provide offensive help.

The 39-year-old McCutchen was released by the Texas Rangers on May 27 after he hit .192 in 37 games as a designated hitter, pinch hitter and outfielder.

The NL East-leading Braves (50-35) signed first baseman Carlos Santana, 40, to a minor league deal last week. McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with Pittsburgh, is expected to soon report to Triple-A Gwinnett. On Thursday, another veteran first baseman, Rowdy Tellez, was designated for assignment as rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis was recalled from Gwinnett.

McCutchen played his first nine seasons in the majors with the Pirates and earned five straight All-Star berths from 2011-15 while becoming one of the team’s most popular players. After stints with five other teams from 2018-22, he returned to the Pirates for the 2023-25 seasons.

In 2025, McCutchen hit .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs in 135 games before becoming a free agent. He is a career .271 hitter with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs and 220 stolen bases in 2,299 games.

Braves manager Walt Weiss said McCutchen is “one of the most respected players in the game. … He’s a pretty cool name to have in a Braves uniform.”

Weiss said McCutchen will be a good leader for young players. “He’s going to impact any room he’s in,” Weiss said.

The Braves on Friday also recalled right-hander Anthony Molina, activated left-hander Danny Young (elbow) from the injured list and optioned right-hander James Karinchak to Gwinnett. Right-hander Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Tyler Callihan runs toward third base on a throwing error by Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli on a pickoff-attempt during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Konnor Griffin had a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Washington Nationals 11-5 on Sunday in a game in which he was also spectacular in the field.

Brandon Lowe followed Griffin’s key hit with a three-run homer off Brad Lord (5-2) to extend the lead.

Griffin, the 20-year-old who received a nine-year, $140 million contract in April, showed why the Pirates view him as such an important part of their future. He made a diving stop in the third on Curtis Mead’s grounder, but Mead beat the throw for an infield single.

In the fourth, Griffin had to fight the sun on Keibert Ruiz’s popup to shallow left field, making a diving, backhanded grab. The following inning, he made another backhanded, sliding catch in the outfield, although James Wood was able to tag up and beat the throw home, resulting in a rare sacrifice fly to the shortstop.

Gregory Soto (5-2) got the win in relief. The Pirates blew a 4-0 lead before going ahead for good with their five-run eighth. Bryan Reynolds also homered for Pittsburgh, and Luis García Jr. and Dylan Crews went deep for Washington.

Cade Cavalli, who is appealing a suspension for his role in Tuesday’s bench-clearing dustup at Boston, allowed three earned runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings. Tyler Callihan opened the scoring for Pittsburgh with a two-run single in the second, and after an error on Cavalli on a pickoff attempt, he scored on Jake Mangum’s single.

Reynolds led off the fourth with his 13th homer of the year to make it 4-0.

García hit a two-run shot — his 19th — in the bottom of the third, and the Nationals scored runs in the fourth and fifth to tie it. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler allowed four runs in four-plus innings.

Griffin’s hit with the bases loaded in the eighth put Pittsburgh up 6-4 and Lowe followed with a drive to right for his 21st homer. Crews went deep for the Nationals in the bottom of the inning.

Henry Davis hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth.

Up next

After an off day, the Pirates send Paul Skenes (6-8) to the mound Tuesday night at home against Atlanta.

Washington hosts Houston on Monday night. Miles Mikolas (2-7) — who also is appealing a suspension — starts for the Nationals.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft won his fourth consecutive start and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Saturday.

Henry Davis and Brandon Lowe both drove in two runs for Pittsburgh, which got back to .500 at 45-45 after dropping three of its past four.

Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin stole home as part of a double steal with two outs in the first inning to open the scoring. Griffin earlier stole second after a leadoff single and the Pirates had four stolen bases for the game.

James Wood hit a leadoff homer for the Nationals, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Ashcraft (9-3) allowed a run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings and struck out seven. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 3.04 ERA and 32 strikeouts in four starts since June 17 and has won eight of his past nine decisions.

With the game tied 1-1, Nationals opener Carson Palmquist (0-1) loaded the bases with none out in the second before yielding to Zack Littell.

Davis then drove in a run with an infield single, and Lowe added a two-run single two batters later. Esmerlyn Valdez made it 5-1 with a run-scoring single later in the inning.

Littell gave up a run in six innings while striking out three.

Pittsburgh added two runs in the eighth against Riley Cornelio on Nick Gonzales’ RBI single and Davis’ bases-loaded walk.

Wood hit Ashcraft’s first pitch of the day 428 feet into the third deck in right field to tie it. It was his 23rd of the season, including his seventh leadoff shot.

Washington outfielder Jacob Young was scratched from the lineup about 40 minutes before the game with left hand soreness.

Up next

Pittsburgh RHP Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.62 ERA) faces Washington RHP Miles Mikolas (2-7, 5.44) as the three-game series concludes Sunday.