Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

New York Mets relief pitcher Josh Walker is being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Walker was recently DFA'd by the Mets last week. Through 12 innings of relief this season, Walker struggled in Queens with a 5.11 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 6:11 BB:K ratio. However, at Triple-A, he posted a solid 2.83 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 21:39 BB:K ratio with five saves across 28 innings. Walker will likely serve as a low-leverage option out of the Pittsburgh bullpen and could have the opportunity to earn occasional holds if he can perform in the big leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie hurler Paul Skenes recorded his 11th quality start in 13 appearances during Monday's 5-3 win at the Houston Astros and also reached 100 strikeouts in the big leagues. Skenes went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out six and walking three in a no-decision that lowered his ERA to 1.90. He did see his nine-start streak of at least seven strikeouts end, tying him with Dwight Gooden (1984) and Brandon Beachy (2011) among rookies. Skenes is 6-1 with 103 strikeouts and a 0.90 WHIP, dominant numbers his fantasy managers will look forward to in his next scheduled start versus the San Diego Padres on August 6.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Michael A. Taylor blasted a three-run game-winning home run in the top of the ninth inning Monday night in a 5-3 defeat of the Houston Astros. Taylor entered the game for Joshua Palacios (hamstring), who exited early after injuring himself running to first base and finished 2-for-3 on the night. The 33-year-old veteran probably hit the most significant home run of his career when he stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth inning. With runners on second and third base with two outs, he smacked a 1-1 sinker from Josh Hader 421 feet to left center field. With a .209 batting average and three home runs on the season, there is not much to write home about overall for Taylor. However, the veteran has been solid in July, hitting .300 (9-for-30) with two home runs and three stolen bases over 16 games. Despite that, he should remain on the waiver wire. There are many other outfield options to choose from, with better numbers and more paths to playing time than Taylor does at this moment. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out, though. In deeper 14-plus team leagues, he could be a helpful asset down the stretch if he continues this hot streak he is riding.

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated left-hander Bailey Falter (triceps) from the 15-day injured list on Monday. Now that Falter is back with the big-league pitching staff, there's a good chance he'll make his next start for the Bucs on Tuesday on the road against the Houston Astros. The 27-year-old southpaw won't be a recommended streamer in that matchup, though, mainly because it will be his first action in the majors since early June due to left-triceps tendonitis. Falter threw 60 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis last Wednesday. The former fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015 is sporting a lackluster 16.7% strikeout rate and career-high 7.7% walk rate in 17 starts covering 90 1/3 innings in 2024. Falter has a 4.08 ERA (4.46 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP and is a low-upside fantasy streamer in deeper leagues now that he's back with Pittsburgh.

The Colorado Rockies are trading left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Colorado will receive Double-A left-hander Luis Peralta, who is the younger brother of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. The Pirates haven't gotten consistent results out of southpaw Aroldis Chapman as a high-leverage arm, so they'll hope Beeks provides a bit of stability in late-inning situations ahead of closer David Bednar. Even so, the 31-year-old veteran lefty has a shaky 4.74 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 38:18 K:BB and nine saves over 49 1/3 frames out of Colorado's bullpen this season. Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley are winners from a fantasy perspective, but they're still in line to share saves with the last-place Rockies. In High-A and Double-A this season, the 23-year-old Peralta has a 0.91 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings.