Pirates recall Jhostynxon Garcia, Hunter Barco, and Noah Murdock; option Tyler Callihan, Isaac Matson and Brandon Eisert to minors

(Credit for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia talks to the media before workouts, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. (Matt Freed, Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates made several roster moves before today’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park.

The Pirates recalled three players from Triple-A Indianapolis, pitchers in right-hander Noah Murdock and left-hander Hunter Barco, as well as outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia. 

The Pirates also made three corresponding moves to make room on the 26-man roster, optioning pitchers in left-hander Brandon Eisert and right-hander Isaac Mattson and utility player Tyler Callihan to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Steelers cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter, Jr. and Donte Kent put on physically unable to perform list as team’s 2026 training camp begins

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. holds his helmet before the team’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers last season. (Jessie Alcheh, the Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Three Pittsburgh Steelers cornerbacks were put on the physically unable to perform list yesterday as the team’s training camp begins today at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. 

Jalen Ramsey was placed on that list because of a knee injury that he suffered during Steelers minicamp.

Joey Porter, Jr. was also put on that list, and a source told ESPN that he will be sidelined after aggravating his back during the Steelers’ mobility workout yesterday morning.

Donte Kent was also added to that list. Kent had a foot injury in training camp last year and was then placed on the Reserve/Injured List. 

James McCann’s 12th-inning single gives Diamondbacks 8-7 win over Pirates after blowing six-run lead

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Gerardo Carrillo (68) celebrates with catcher James McCann, left, after getting the final out of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — James McCann singled in the winning run in the 12th inning with his fourth hit of the game and the Arizona Diamondbacks held on for an 8-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night despite blowing a six-run lead.

Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds hit back-to-back home runs for the Pirates to spark a three-run rally against closer Paul Sewald in the ninth to tie the game at 6-all and force extra innings. Lowe’s two-run shot was his team-leading 22nd of the season.

It was Sewald’s third blown save in 27 opportunities.

The Pirates also had a three-run eighth to make it 6-3 on RBI singles by Ryan O’Hearn, Endy Rodríguez and Marcell Ozuna.

Both teams scored runs in the 10th on errors.

Geraldo Carillo (1-0) got his first major league win as the Diamondbacks won for the 11th time in 17 games. McCann’s winning hit came off Wilbur Dotel (1-3).

The Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt pitched seven scoreless innings, left with a 6-0 lead, and was in line to win his career-high sixth consecutive start since returning from Triple-A Reno on June 30. However, the bullpen blew the lead.

Pfaadt gave up six hits, struck out four and walked one. He was a 13-game winner last year but was sent to the minor leagues on June 4 after struggling.

Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler struggled to get through four innings. Four of the five runs Chandler allowed were earned, and he surrendered eight hits as he put the Pirates in a five-run hole.

The Pirates had 14 hits, including two each from Jake Mangum, Lowe, O’Hearn, Nick Gonzales and Ozuna.

Up next

Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3, 2.64 ERA) starts the rubber game of the three-game series Wednesday against RHP Jared Jones (2-1, 3.72).

Pirates to honor former utility player Josh Harrison, who will retire as a Pirate

(Credit and Caption for Photo: The Pirates’ Josh Harrison is mobbed by Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker after a win over Houston on May 13, 2012 at PNC Park. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates recently announced that they will honor former utility player Josh Harrison at an upcoming game.

The thirty-nine-year-old Harrison, whose moniker is known as “J-Hay,” will officially retire as a Pirate on August 7th.

He will be celebrated at a pregame ceremony the following night before the Pirates’ August 8th game against the New York Mets at PNC Park at 6:40 p.m.

“J-Hay” will also throw out the first pitch, and the first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Harrison was acquired by the Pirates from a trade with the Chicago Cubs in 2009, and played the first eight seasons of his 13-year MLB career with the Pirates.

He was a two-time MLB All-Star whose breakout season was in 2014.

During that season, he was second in the National League in hitting average with .315, along with earning 13 home runs and 18 steals.

He played five positions while playing with the Pirates (second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field).

Harrison last played in the majors in 2023 and appeared in 41 games for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Pirates acquire outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez from the Orioles for cash considerations

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Cleveland Guardians’ Johnathan Rodriguez runs after hitting an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Cleveland. David Fry scored on the play. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade with the Baltimore Orioles yesterday acquiring  outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez for cash considerations.

Rodríguez was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Thursday and has now been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The twenty-six-year-old Rodríguez has appeared in 51 games between the Orioles and Guardians in parts of the last three seasons.

Rodríguez played 62 games with Triple-A Norfolk this season and slashed.270/.370/.391, along with earning 14 doubles, four home runs and 22 RBIs.

Pirates activate catcher Endy Rodríguez from the 10-day injured list

(Credit and Caption for Photo: The Pirates’ Endy Rodriguez celebrates his game-tying home run against the Marlins in the fifth inning June 12 at PNC Park. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Danny Demilo of PittsburghBaseballNow.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated catcher Endy Rodríguez from the 10-day injured list yesterday.

Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup in yesterday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park last night.

He suffered the injury on July 5th in the Pirates’ game against the Washington Nationals in Washington D.C. and was put on the injured list on July 8 because of a left glute strain.

Rodríguez slashed .260/.388/.470, along with earning five home runs, two stolen bases, 16 RBI and 15 runs over his 35 games with the Pirates.

The Pirates also recently optioned catcher Shawn Ross to Triple-A Indianapolis so Rodríguez can have a spot on the active roster. 

Pirates rookie outfielder Esmeryln Valdez leaves game with hand injury

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly, center, watches as Esmerlyn Valdez, left, is examined by a team trainer, right, after being hit by a pitch from Arizona Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmeryln Valdez was removed from the team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park last night after being hit in the left hand by a pitch from Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly in the fourth inning.

Valdez, who has 14 home runs in his limited playing time this season, took a 92 mph fastball from Kelly to the area around his left hand and wrist.

The 22-year-old Valdez winced in pain while he was being tended to by medical staff.

He slowly walked toward the Pirates dugout before being replaced by Jared Triolo.

Valdez’s recent performances has helped the Pirates stay in playoff contention despite injuries to some of their other key players like Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz and Konnor Griffin.

Valdez has a hand injury and can be considered as day-to-day.

According to Kevin Gorman of Tribune-Review Sports, he is expected to undergo more imaging for this injury today. 

Brandon Lowe’s 10th-inning hit rallies the Pirates over the Diamondbacks 3-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum celebrates after scoring on a single by Brandon Lowe off Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brandon Lowe singled home Billy Cook in the bottom of the 10th inning to rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Lowe finished a three-hit night by lacing a line drive off Diamondbacks reliever Taylor Clarke (2-2) that smacked off the glove of Arizona first baseman Ildemaro Vargas and rolled away, allowing Cook to race home as the Pirates pulled even with the Diamondbacks for the National League’s third wild-card spot.

Mason Montgomery (4-3) worked around an error by third baseman Nick Gonzales and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 10th to earn the victory. The Pirates’ bullpen, which has been a sore spot much of the season, tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Bryan Reynolds delivered a game-tying RBI double in the eighth for Pittsburgh, which lost promising rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez to a left-hand injury in the fourth inning after getting hit with a fastball by Arizona starter Merrill Kelly.

Kelly allowed one unearned run in 5 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out six while lowering his ERA to 4.86, the lowest it has been since early April.

Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller had his second straight solid start coming out of the All-Star break, giving up two runs in 5 1/3 innings, his only real mistake coming in the sixth when three singles loaded the bases, and Max Kepler followed with a rope to the corner in right that gave the Diamondbacks the lead.

Kepler finished with three hits for the Diamondbacks, who lost for just the fifth time in 15 games. Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno went hitless in four at-bats, but extended his on-base streak to 24 games with a first-inning walk.

Up next

The series continues on Tuesday when Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.43 ERA) gets the start against Pittsburgh’s Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.47).

Pirates sign outfielder Derek Curiel, their 2026 first-round pick

(Credit for Photo: Caption for Photo: Pirates first round draft pick Derek Curiel smiles during a press conference after signing with the team on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at PNC Park. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed their 2026 first-round pick, Derek Curiel.

A press conference was held in Pittsburgh yesterday after Curiel signed his contract.

According to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, his deal is worth $6.2 million.

The twenty-one-year-old Curiel is an outfielder who played for LSU in center field and was selected 5th overall by the Pirates in this year’s draft.

Curiel slashed .349/.452/.522, along with earning 38 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs and 101 RBIs in 126 games over two seasons for the LSU Tigers, who won the 2025 College World Series championship. 

Robert Morris University names Dr. Ron Moses as Vice President and Director of Athletics

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Robert Morris University, Posted on Facebook on July 24th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) Robert Morris University officially named Dr. Ron Moses as Vice President and Director of Athletics on Friday after a national search. 

Dr. Moses now joins that university in Moon Township after he served as Deputy Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Advancement, Revenue Growth, and Competitive Strategy at Old Dominion University located in Norfolk, Virginia.

Moses directed major initiatives across Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) strategy, revenue-sharing models, academic success, and corporate partnerships during his tenure at Old Dominion University.