Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports that x-rays on Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jalen Beeks (forearm) came back negative following his early removal from the team's loss against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. The 31-year-old picked up his fourth hold in the contest, allowing one hit while striking out one batter. However, he was struck with a comebacker on his left forearm. Fortunately, there was no structural damage to his arm, but the injury required him to leave the game as his arm immediately began to swell. He can be considered day-to-day for now. Beeks has been superb for the D-Backs in 2025, bolstering a 0.60 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over 15 innings pitched. He's struck out 15 batters (27.3% K%) to just three walks on the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes dominated the Dodgers on Friday, throwing six-and-a-third innings of scoreless ball, scattering five hits while walking none and striking out nine on his way to earning the win in the 3-0 victory. That makes three consecutive quality starts for the righty and four quality starts out of six, now with a 3-2 record to go along with a 2.39 ERA (1.70 FIP), 0.80 WHIP, and a pristine 24.6 percent K-BB%. The 2024 NL Rookie of the Year's next start lines up with the Cubs at home next week, which should be a tough test as Chicago is averaging the highest runs per game in all of baseball to start the year, with the fourth-highest team batting average against right-handed pitching.

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter (back) has been cleared to make his next start on Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Falter was pulled after four innings in his last start on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels due to back tightness, but the 28-year-old southpaw was able to recover and will pitch again this weekend. We would recommend that fantasy managers looking for streamers on Sunday avoid Falter against one of the best teams in baseball on the road. Falter has shown strong control (only seven walks in 26 innings), but he's allowed 17 runs (15 earned) on 24 hits (one homer) while striking out 20 for a 5.19 ERA (4.40 FIP). This is not the time to get cute and roll Falter out there against the best lineup in baseball, especially coming off a back injury in his last start.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/outfielder Oneil Cruz had both a home run and a stolen base in the Pirates' 3-0 win over the Angels on Wednesday night. His stolen base came in the third inning, and his home run was a solo shot off Jack Kochanowicz in the fifth inning. Cruz is up to six home runs and 11 stolen bases on the season and is hitting .247 with a .370 wOBA. He has always been a Statcast darling, and he has continued that trend with a 55.6% hard-hit rate and an 18.55 barrel rate. Cruz has looked very comfortable in the leadoff spot for the Pirates and should continue to be an elite fantasy producer with plenty of upside as long as he can stay healthy, especially in home runs and steals. He was part of the 20-20 club last year with 21 homers and 22 stolen bases, but he is on base to finish much better in both categories in 2025.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) is scheduled to undergo a follow-up MRI at some point this week. The 23-year-old has been shut down since late in spring training while dealing with a UCL sprain his in elbow. He hasn't thrown a baseball in quite some time, so it's going to take him weeks to ramp back up. The hope is that the MRI goes well and Jones can start a throwing program soon. After that, Jones will likely need a few rehab starts before rejoining the Pirates rotation. The organization hasn't given much of a timetable, but mid-June seems realistic for Jones to rejoin the Pirates rotation.