Pittsburgh Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez went 1-for-4 with a home run in the Pirates 5-4 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Valdez got the scoring going with a two-run blast in the second inning. He is up to 16 home runs on the season.

Mason Montgomery earned the save on Sunday against the Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: Montgomery needed just 11 pitches to retire the Cardinals in order for his seventh save on the season.

Braxton Ashcraft allowed two runs on six hits over five innings with three strikeouts and one walk in a win on Sunday against the Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: Ashcraft was removed after 71 pitches. That'll be something to monitor moving forward with a start against the Angels next.

Konnor Griffin went 1-for-3 and played seven innings at shortstop Sunday in his first appearance for Double-A Altoona.

Fantasy Impact: Griffin is eligible to be activated on Friday.

Jared Jones is getting pushed back a day and will make his next start Friday against the Angels. (Source: Colin Beazley on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Jones will get an extra day of rest heading into his next start.

Rafael Flores went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the Pirates 6-2 win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Flores is now up to seven home runs on the season for Pittsburgh.

Carmen Mlodzinski allowed one (unearned) run on one hit over 3 1/3 innings with two strikeouts in a win on Saturday against the Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: Mlodzinski once again pitched in a bulk relief role. He is scheduled to face the Angels next.

Endy Rodríguez underwent season-ending left hip surgery on Wednesday. (Source: Jason Mackey on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rodríguez underwent a procedure to address a labrum tear. He is expected to be sidelined into next season.

Bubba Chandler allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks in a loss on Wednesday against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Chandler continued his recent strong performances despite the loss as the Pirates lineup couldn't provide any run support. He is scheduled to face the Giants next.

The Pirates optioned RHP Khristian Curtis to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Fantasy Impact: Curtis will return to Triple-A. Noah Murdock was recalled as the corresponding move.

The Pirates recalled RHP Noah Murdock from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Fantasy Impact: Murdock returns to a middle-relief role in the bullpen for Pittsburgh.

Oneil Cruz went 1-for-3 with a home run in the Pirates 1-0 win over the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Cruz broke a scoreless tie with a solo blast in the ninth inning off Mason Miller. He isslashing .260/.348/.491 with 17 home runs and 52 RBI on the season.

Paul Skenes allowed three hits over six scoreless innings with four strikeouts in a no-decision on Tuesday against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Skenes posted one of his better outings on the season, especially as of late. He will take a 3.79 ERA into his next start against the Giants.

Yohan Ramirez recorded the save on Monday against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Ramirez was the seventh pitcher on the mound for Pittsburgh. He struck out the side for his second save on the season.

The Pirates optioned RHP Antwone Kelly to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Fantasy Impact: Kelly will return to Triple-A. Khristian Curtis was recalled as the corresponding move.

Johnathan Rodriguez was claimed off waivers by the Athletics on Thursday. (Source: Alex Stumpf on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Pirates earlier this week when Oneil Cruz was activated from the IL. Rodriguez will now head to the Athletics, which will be his fourth different organization since Spring Training.

Brandon Lowe went 1-for-3 with a home run in the Pirates 4-3 win over the Tigers on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Lowe took Tigers closer Kenley Jansen deep to send Pittsburgh home on top. It was his 27th long ball on the season.

The Pirates released OF Dominic Fletcher.

Fantasy Impact: Fletcher was with the Pirates on a minor league deal. He'll seek another opportunity.

The Pirates optioned Isaac Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Jason Mackey on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mattson will return to Triple-A. Antwone Kelly was recalled as the corresponding move.

The Pirates transferred Seth Hernandez to the 60-day injured list at High-A Greensboro. (Source: Colin Beazley on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hernandez is hopeful to return for the final few weeks of the minor league season.