Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Boston Red Sox second base prospect Nick Yorke went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs on Wednesday for Triple-A Worcester. Yorke's July is shaping up to be much like his June at Triple-A, now 9-for-28 (.321) this month after hitting .342 (27-for-79) in June. The 22-year-old had four home runs in 45 games at Double-A but now has six in just 27 games at Triple-A. It has been an impressive showing for the former first-round draft pick and he continues to make a push for a debut at the major league level. Look for him to get that chance at some point in the second half if he continues to hit.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (hamstring) is out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Cruz will miss his second game in a row after leaving Monday's contest early with soreness in his hamstring. It doesn't appear to be a major concern for the 25-year-old, but the Pirates are giving him a little extra rest before next week's All-Star break. Cruz should be considered day-to-day for now. Check back to see if he's available for the series finale in Milwaukee on Thursday. Jared Triolo is getting another start at the 6 and will hit ninth for the Bucs against Brewers right-hander Tobias Myers. DFS managers should be able to find a much better option at shortstop than Triolo, who is hitting just .203 (47-for-232) on the year with four homers, 24 RBI and four stolen bases in a utility role.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (oblique) made his first minor-league rehab outing with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday and pitched a clean inning to pick up a hold. Bednar didn't allow a hit or a walk and struck out one batter. Bednar is getting close to returning from the injured list, but with the All-Star break coming next week, it wouldn't be a surprise if he stays on his rehab assignment until the start of the second half of the season. When he's back with Pittsburgh, the 29-year-old year will return to being the team's primary closing option late in games. He has gone 3-3 this year with an ugly 5.17 ERA AND 1.12 WHIP, but he's also saved 16 games and has a grand total of 74 saves the last three years combined. Until Bednar returns, left-handed veteran Aroldis Chapman will function as the Pirates' closer.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski went 2-for-5 with two runs, two RBI and a solo home run in Tuesday's blowout victory versus the division rival Milwaukee Brewers. Suwinski entered the season as a popular sleeper, but has mostly struggled at the dish this season and even saw some time in Triple-A, before recently being brought back up. Despite his early season struggles, the left-handed bat has started to show some signs of life with nine hits over his last 35 at-bats, including three homers. In the deepest of mixed leagues, his power potential makes him worth a dart throw, but he is best served as a watch-list candidate for the time being.

The Miami Herald's Craig Mish writes that the Miami Marlins are unlikely to trade outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Bryan De La Cruz by the July 30 trade deadline this summer. The Marlins could very well trade outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and left-hander Jesus Luzard (back), but not before Luzardo is healthy. Both Sanchez and De La Cruz are under contract through the 2027 season, making them attractive to contenders looking for extra years of control. It's also what makes them worth keeping for the struggling Marlins, though. Sanchez has been a below-average hitter with a .687 OPS, .239 average (61-for-255) with nine homers and a career-high six stolen bases, while De La Cruz has shown slightly more power with 15 long balls and 42 RBI while posting a .696 OPS and .237 average (84-for-354).