Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned relief pitcher David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis. In a corresponding move, the Pirates promoted right-handed pitching prospect Thomas Harrington to the major leagues and designated catcher Jason Delay for assignment. Bednar has had a difficult start to the 2025 season after having similar struggles in 2024. Through three appearances this season, Bednar has tallied just three outs and lost two games. He has earned one save and allowed four hits and three earned runs. Last season, the 30-year-old posted a 5.77 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP across 57 2/3 innings. He blew seven saves and took eight losses. Fantasy managers should monitor his production at Triple-A as he attempts to turn the corner. While he is in the minor leagues, Colin Holderman and Dennis Santana will likely see the majority of save opportunities.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Bryan De La Cruz is in Monday night's lineup against the Dodgers, getting his first start of the season. De La Cruz will bat seventh and face Dodgers' starter Tyler Glasnow. The 28-year-old only has two at-bats this season and hasn't received much opportunity so tonight will be a good chance for him to make an impact as the Braves look for a spark to get them their first win of the season. De La Cruz hasn't had much success against Glasnow in his career going 0-3 against him. Fantasy managers shouldn't rush to get him into their starting lineups and DFS managers should do what they can to avoid him until he proves himself.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is not in the starting lineup on Sunday for the series finale at loanDepot Park against the Miami Marlins. Jared Triolo will make the start at the hot corner and will bat seventh against Marlins right-hander Max Meyer. Through the first three games of the 2025 season, Hayes, who had a disastrous 2024 campaign that ended early due to injury, has gone 2-for-13 with two stolen bases and two runs scored for the Bucs. If the 28-year-old doesn't show any improvement with his bat in the early going this year, there's a chance that Triolo could steal more and more playing time from him at third base. Triolo, meanwhile, comes into Sunday's finale having played in just one game while going hitless in his four at-bats with one strikeout. He has never faced Meyer in his career.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart will take a seat on Sunday for the series finale against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. With Bart resting, Endy Rodriguez will do the catching for left-hander Andrew Heaney and will bat sixth against Marlins right-hander Max Meyer. This will be Bart's first day off of the year after starting each of the team's first three games of the season, going 4-for-12 with an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored. Rodriguez, who had the day off on Saturday, went hitless in six at-bats with four strikeouts in the first two games of the series, so he'll be searching for his first hit in 2025 on Sunday. It won't be easy, as Meyer is on of the best young arms in the game when he's healthy. Rodriguez has never faced Meyer in his career and will be cheap for DFS lineups but without much upside.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz is not in Sunday's lineup when the Pirates conclude a series against the Miami Marlins. Cruz has started in each of the first three games of the series in center field. Across these games, the 26-year-old has gone 2-for-10 with three runs, two RBI, a long ball, four stolen bases, and a 6:2 BB:K. As a result, Jack Suwinski will get the nod in center field and bat fifth. Fantasy managers should expect Cruz to return to the starting nine on Monday evening when the Pirates travel to face the Rays. On Saturday, Suwinski went 1-for-5 with a double and a stolen base during his first start of the campaign and is worth a look in DFS this afternoon facing Miami right-hander Max Meyer, who held a 5.68 ERA across 57 innings last season.