Bonus episode of OffBeat. The Marcell Ozuna contract was puzzling to start, justified only by trying to get a righty slugger after adding so many lefties. It didn’t work, to the point that the best way to get better against LHP is addition by subtraction: youtu.be/DF2u7HDGK44?...

BREAKING: Pirates Finally Release Marcell Ozuna

YouTube video by North Shore Nine

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Sources: Pirates are calling up INF/OF Ronny Simon. He has slashed .330/.419/.470 with 33 stolen bases for Triple-A Indianapolis this season, mostly playing corner outfield. He had a brief cameo with the Pirates last year and returned as a Minor League free agent this winter.

The Pirates’ bullpen was one of the worst in baseball. They got a drastic overhaul Monday and now look like a group with some potential. Which is good, because they need to lead the charge considering all the questions with the rotation. My free column: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

Stumpf: The bullpen got its upgrade; now it needs to carry the staff

There are too many questions around this rotation, so the new-look bullpen needs to lead the charge

open.substack.com

The Pirates’ bullpen was one of the worst in baseball. They got a drastic overhaul Monday and now look like a group with some potential. Which is good, because they need to lead the charge considering all the questions with the rotation. My free column: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

Stumpf: The bullpen got its upgrade; now it needs to carry the staff

There are too many questions around this rotation, so the new-look bullpen needs to lead the charge

open.substack.com

A couple more righties to the bullpen. Source confirms Pirates have acquired Lake Bachar from the Marlins and Kirby Yates from Angels.

Source confirms the Pirates have acquired RHP Luke Weaver from the Mets for INF Sammy Stafura (who was acquired last year in the Ke’Bryan Hayes trade)

The Mets have claimed C Shawn Ross off waivers. The Pirates designated him for assignment earlier this week

New article on the Camilo Doval trade. The Pirates get much needed experience in the bullpen, a lively fastball and a good change of scenery candidate. He also has a pitch that’s holding him back and a horrible split in a key team weakness. Free to read: open.substack.com/pub/bookrule...

Stumpf: Doval a risk worth taking, but doesn't fix most glaring needs

Doval is a change of scenery candidate, but he could contribute to the bullpen's biggest problem

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Source confirms the Pirates are acquiring RHP Camilo Doval from the Yankees for prospects Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz. Doval is 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 39 2/3 innings. Sinker averages 98.6 mph. He was an All-Star with Giants in 2023. Jeff Passan first on trade.

The Pirates’ bullpen has more losses (23) than saves (21). They have allowed 187 runs from the 7th-9th inning, the 2nd most in MLB. Their 4.83 ERA in the 7th-9th is one of the worst in franchise history. They don’t just need bullpen help. They need a stud youtu.be/9s69IIKm0YY?...

The Pirates MUST Fix Their Bullpen Before the Trade Deadline

YouTube video by North Shore Nine

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Some quick Pirate injury updates: Oneil Cruz has been cleared for all baseball activities. Evan Sisk is expected to start a rehab assignment Thursday. Seth Hernandez will be out 6-8 weeks with an oblique injury. Looking at the Minor League calendar, his season might be over.

Don Kelly says Spencer Horwitz is dealing with a concussion and is being evaluated by the club. He was hit in the head with a pitch during his rehab assignment.

“It feels pretty close to 100%,” Valdéz said in a media scrum, via interpreter and coach Stephen Morales. The expectation is he will be in the Pirates’ lineup. He took swings right before meeting with media.

Alex Stumpf@alexjstumpf.bsky.social · last wk.

From the Pirates on Esmerlyn Valdéz: Status is day to day after being diagnosed with a contusion. The battery of tests completed today showed no fracture.

From the Pirates on Esmerlyn Valdéz: Status is day to day after being diagnosed with a contusion. The battery of tests completed today showed no fracture.

Brandon Lowe walkoff single. Pirates steal this one, 3-2 in 10 innings. The Pirates improve to 2-0 all-time in the Wolf Game.

Oh geez. Esmerlyn Valdéz got plunked in the left wrist area. He is being removed in the fourth inning

Pirates announce they have acquired minor league RHP Felix Doroteo in exchange for RHP Jose Urquidy. The latter was designated for assignment earlier this week.

It’s another trade deadline and another year of just the worst mock Oneil Cruz trades. It’s one thing to suggest moving him this winter, but let’s make one thing perfectly clear: you will only make the 2026 Pirates worse by trading their best hitter. youtu.be/sVzwdSAG2pM?...

The Oneil Cruz Trade Rumors Have Lost the Plot

YouTube video by North Shore Nine

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Players since 2000 with at least 11 home runs and 30 RBI in their first 30 MLB games. Add Esmerlyn Valdéz to the list:

The Pirates are selecting the contract of Khristian Curtis for game 1 of today’s doubleheader. Wilber Dotel will be activated off the injured list for game 2. Oneil Cruz to 60-day injured list to open up 40 man spot. No setback in Cruz’s rehab. Eligible to come off the IL Aug. 8

Khristian Curtis has a locker in the Pirates’ clubhouse

The Pirates have acquired OF Robert Hassell III from the Nationals for cash considerations or a PTBNL. He was outrighted off the Nationals’ roster Sunday, so there will be no corresponding move on the 40 man roster

For the first time in All-Star Game history, the game’s top offense won’t have a hitter representing the team. The two pitchers the Pirates sent won’t pitch tonight. Regardless of how your team is doing, why watch if your team’s guy won’t play? youtu.be/B2y5QRr4jhk?...

The Pirates Made All-Star Game History for the Wrong Reason

YouTube video by North Shore Nine

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The Pirates have traded RHP Cam Sanders to the Orioles for cash considerations. Sanders was designated for assignment Saturday to make room on the roster after the trade with the White Sox

The Nationals have yet to score a run Sunday. At this very moment, the Pirates have scored the most runs in baseball (515). What a turnaround from being dead last in just about every offensive category last year.

The Pittsburgh Pirates make the first surprise pick with OF Derek Curiel

The Pirates need infield depth and bullpen help, and they swung their first July trade Friday for Brandon Eisert and Jacob Gonzalez. I wrote about both players, what the Pirates gave up and how the two newcomers need to grow to make this deal worth it: bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/stumpf-pir...

Stumpf: Pirates get two projects in first deadline deal

The Pirates gave up a first round pick but aren't getting a proven player back

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The Pirates have designated RHP Cam Sanders for assignment and transferred Konnor Griffin to the 60-day injured list to open up roster spots for newly acquired INF Jacob Gonzalez and LHP Brandon Eisert

Sources: Pirates are recalling right-handed pitchers Antwone Kelly and Thomas Harrington, their No. 7 and 12 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. Kelly has one MLB appearance this year. This will be Harrington’s 2026 debut

Since moving to the bullpen, Carmen Mlodzinski is third in IP by relievers, has a sub-2.00 ERA and is 48th in Win Probability Added. His pitching schedule is creating a smoke if you've got them approach that's creating little impact in the games he pitches. bookrulebucs.substack.com/p/stumpf-mlo...

Stumpf: Mlodzinski is making little impact in valuable role

The Pirates need a multi-inning stud, but his pitching schedule is a hinderance

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