Pittsburgh Pirates

Jared Jones has been diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow.

Fantasy Impact: Jones has received multiple opinions. He will not require surgery. He'll be shut down for at least the next six weeks as he rests and rehabs.

Andrew Heaney will start the series finale on Sunday against the Marlins. (Source: Noah Hiles on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Heaney struggled with a 9.49 ERA in spring training. He is set to open the season as the No. 4 starter in the Pirates rotation.

Bailey Falter will take the mound for the Pirates on Saturday against the Marlins. (Source: Noah Hiles on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Falter will start the third game of the season for Pittsburgh. He struggled in spring training, posting a 5.25 ERA in four starts.

Mitch Keller will start the second game of the season for the Pirates on Friday against the Marlins. (Source: Noah Hiles on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Keller will follow Paul Skenes in the starting rotation for Pittsburgh. He threw three scoreless innings in his final spring training start.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-assigned Burch Smith to minor league camp. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Smith is likely to begin the season with Triple-A Indianapolis and may be called up at some point during the season. While he didn't allow a run in two innings this spring, he posted a 2.50 WHIP.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-assigned Thomas Harrington to minor league camp. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After Jared Jones (elbow) went down with an injury, Harrington was expected to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, that won't be the case, and he is likely to begin the season with Triple-A Indianapolis. He had a solid spring, posting a 2.70 ERA over 6.2 innings.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-assigned Tanner Rainey to minor league camp. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rainey had a solid spring training, posting a 1.29 ERA and 0.57 WHIP over seven innings. He is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Indianapolis and will look to carry over his strong performance in hopes of earning a promotion later in the year.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-assigned Carson Fulmer to minor league camp. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fulmer allowed four earned runs and struck out five batters over 8.2 innings this spring. He is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Carmen Mlodzinski will be among the team’s five starters, per team updates, stepping up this spring. (Source: Alex Stumpf)

Fantasy Impact: Mlodzinski’s 75 MLB relief or opener outings shift to a starter role with Jared Jones sidelined by an elbow injury, beating out Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington at Triple-A Indianapolis, behind Paul Skenes’ Opening Day nod. His workload may stay light. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues might stash him, but his limited stuff tempers 2025 value in Pittsburgh’s rotation.

Ryan Borucki has secured a spot on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster, per team updates, excelling in spring camp on a minor-league deal. (Source: Alex Stumpf)

Fantasy Impact: Borucki’s 1.04 ERA and 12 strikeouts over 8.2 Grapefruit League innings clinch his place in Pittsburgh’s bullpen, offering Derek Shelton a lefty option. His spring shines. Fantasy managers in deep leagues or hold formats should stash him, banking on his relief prowess for value in the Pirates’ 2025 pen if he maintains this level early on.

DJ Stewart was left off the Pirates’ Opening Day roster, per team updates, despite vying for first base time with Spencer Horwitz sidelined. (Source: Alex Stumpf)

Fantasy Impact: Stewart’s bid for first base reps, with Horwitz out due to a wrist injury, falls short, leaving him off Pittsburgh’s roster Sunday, likely triggering his minor-league opt-out clause. The 31-year-old pivots. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, banking on his bat for a 2025 role if he opts out and signs elsewhere soon.

The Pirates have optioned Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Nicolas turned in a solid spring training for the Pirates, allowing just one earned run in eight outings. He will remain a depth option for the Pirates should they need help in the bullpen.

The Pirates selected the contract of Hunter Stratton from Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Stratton earns a roster spot out of spring training. He will likely hold a middle-innings role out of the Pirates bullpen.

The Pirates designated Joshua Palacios for assignment. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Palacios had been competing for a roster spot. He will hit the waiver wire where another team could take a chance on him.

The Pirates optioned C Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Davis had been competing for a depth spot behind the plate. He should see more consistent at-bats in Triple-A and will be a candidate to be called up at some point during the season.

The Pirates optioned Nick Yorke to Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Yorke had been competing for a roster spot, but did not do quite enough. Billy Cook was optioned as well with the Pirates Opening Day roster now being full.

The Pirates optioned Billy Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Cook had been competing for a roster spot, but did not do quite enough. Nick Yorke was optioned as well with the Pirates Opening Day roster now being full.

The Pirates reassigned Darick Hall to minor-league camp Tuesday, per team updates, after he hit three homers but batted .190 in Grapefruit League play this spring. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates)

Fantasy Impact: Hall’s .190 spring mark with 3 homers, following a .238/.321/.390 line and 16 homers in 114 Triple-A games with the Phillies in 2024, lands him in Pittsburgh’s minors Tuesday. The 29-year-old’s power didn’t secure a roster spot. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, hoping his bat rebounds for a midseason Pirates call-up if injuries strike.

The Pirates optioned Jason Delay to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, per team updates, after a 2-for-17 spring with eight strikeouts across 12 games. (Source: Pittsburgh Pirates)

Fantasy Impact: Delay’s 2-for-17 mark with 8 strikeouts in 12 spring games couldn’t secure a Pirates Opening Day spot, with Joey Bart set as the top catcher and Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez vying for backup. He’s Triple-A bound. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, hoping his glove earns a midseason call-up if Pittsburgh’s catching depth falters.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton elected not to officially name the team's closer on Sunday. (Source: Noah Hiles on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It is the second time in camp that Shelton has not made the closer clear heading into the season. Bednar is still presumed to be the closer on Opening Day, but he has struggled in spring training. This will remain a situation to monitor.