Pittsburgh Pirates

Adam Frazier is currently dealing with a back injury, per manager Derek Shelton. (Source: Andrew Destin on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Frazier has not appeared in a game since February 26. The Pirates are being conservative with Frazier and he will likely be held out of game action for the next few days.

Johan Oviedo (lat/elbow) will consult with surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in about four weeks to map out his throwing timeline, per team reports. (Source: Andrew Destin)

Fantasy Impact: Oviedo, 27, hit a bump with a right lat strain during live BP last week—more worrisome than his right elbow, fixed by Tommy John surgery in December 2023—and the Pirates want Dr. Meister’s input by late March or early April. He’s on the 60-day IL, out until at least late May, though a minor league rehab stint could come sooner if he’s cleared. Fantasy managers can stash him in deep leagues for a midseason lift, but he’s off the early radar.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Hunter Stratton (knee) will throw a simulated game Wednesday, per team reports. (Source: Andrew Destin)

Fantasy Impact: Stratton’s been grinding back from a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee since August—mound sessions are old news, and he started running last month—but as a non-roster invitee, Opening Day’s out of reach. He’s headed for Triple-A Indianapolis once healthy. Fantasy managers can skip him; his minor league stint won’t move the needle unless he forces a call-up.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is expected to begin hitting off a tee by this weekend or early next week, per team reports. (Source: Andrew Destin)

Fantasy Impact: Horwitz is taking dry swings as he recovers from right wrist surgery, with an April comeback in sight—Opening Day’s off the table, but he’s pegged as Pittsburgh’s go-to first baseman once back. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues might stash him; his bat could bring steady value if he’s ready by spring’s end.

Ji Hwan Bae (hand) will start in left field and bat leadoff in Tuesday’s Grapefruit League matchup against the Red Sox, per team reports.

Fantasy Impact: Bae’s back after just one day off, having jammed his right ring finger sliding into third Sunday against the Tigers—quick bounce-back for the 25-year-old. He’s scrapping for a bench outfield spot with Billy Cook, Jack Suwinski, Joshua Palacios, DJ Stewart, and Nick Solak, while Tommy Pham, Oneil Cruz, and Bryan Reynolds anchor the Opening Day trio. His top-tier speed could lock him in as a reserve, but two minor league options might send him to Triple-A Indianapolis for regular at-bats—fantasy managers in deeper leagues should track his roster fate for that steal potential.

Paul Skenes will make his next spring training start on Thursday against the Orioles. (Source: Jake Rill on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Skenes allowed one run over three innings in his spring training debut on Saturday that was also against Baltimore. He remains one of the top starting pitchers in the MLB heading into the season.

The Marlins claimed Brett de Geus off waivers from the Pirates. (Source: Miami Marlins on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: de Geus was designated for assignment over the weekend. Miami designated Seth Martinez for assignment as the corresponding move.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Oneil Cruz is being brought along slowly in spring training due to an illness he had upon arriving at camp, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Fantasy Impact: Cruz has fully recovered, but the Pirates are proceeding cautiously after his missed workouts earlier in camp. The shortstop has appeared in just one of the team's first four Grapefruit League games, logging a single and a stolen base Tuesday against Atlanta. Expect him to ramp up his workload in the coming days as he prepares for the regular season.

Jared Jones showcased the addition of a sinker to his pitch arsenal in his spring training start on Tuesday. (Source: Kevin Gorman)

Fantasy Impact: Jones threw the pitch five times over 27 total pitches. He will continue to develop it over the course of spring training.

Tanner Rainey has thrown two scoreless innings while striking out four and walking none across two Grapefruit League appearances.

Fantasy Impact: Rainey, in camp with the Pirates as a non-roster invitee, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 season—his first since returning from Tommy John surgery. Before the injury, he had been a reliable late-inning option for the Nationals. With Pittsburgh featuring a deep bullpen, Rainey will need to continue his strong performance to earn a roster spot, but his early results are encouraging.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton declined to name David Bednar as the team’s closer when asked Tuesday by Foul Territory TV, stating, “we’re not ready to say that.”

Fantasy Impact: While Shelton acknowledged Bednar’s past success, calling him a “two-time All-Star closer,” he stopped short of officially naming him the ninth-inning option. Bednar struggled in 2024, posting a 5.77 ERA and eventually losing his high-leverage role. He remains the favorite to reclaim the job, but a shaky spring could open the door for alternatives like Dennis Santana, Colin Holderman, or others in Pittsburgh’s bullpen.

Carmen Mlodzinski is working in camp to transition into being a starter. (Source: Noah Hiles on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mlodzinski said there were conversations about him transitioning into a starter role at the end of last season. He added that he’s still open to being used in any role, but his goal is to be a starting pitcher.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Dauri Moreta (elbow) is not expected to appear in any Grapefruit League games as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery, per Noah Hiles of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Moreta remains on schedule in his rehab, throwing side sessions and gradually increasing intensity this spring.

Fantasy Impact: Moreta was recently placed on the 60-day injured list, and while he could begin a minor-league rehab assignment by late April, he won’t be eligible to return to the Pirates until at least late May. His recovery will likely keep him off the fantasy radar for now, though he could provide bullpen depth later in the season if he regains his pre-injury form.

Kyle Nicolas (side) faced Andrew McCutchen in a live batting practice session Tuesday, per Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The right-hander appears to be fully healthy after finishing the 2024 season on the injured list due to a left side injury.

Fantasy Impact: Kyle Nicolas (side) faced Andrew McCutchen in a live batting practice session Tuesday, per Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The right-hander appears to be fully healthy after finishing the 2024 season on the injured list due to a left side injury.

Bryan Reynolds confirmed Tuesday that he is focusing exclusively on right field rather than preparing for a potential role at first base. The Pirates had explored the idea of using him at first last September, but even after Spencer Horwitz’s injury, there are no current plans for Reynolds to shift positions.

Fantasy Impact: Reynolds sticking to the outfield means fantasy managers should not expect him to gain first-base eligibility. His value remains steady as a reliable contributor in batting average, runs, and power production. While position flexibility would have been a bonus, Reynolds’ primary focus in right field should allow him to remain locked in offensively for the Pirates.

Endy Rodriguez told reporters he feels fully healthy after recovering from Tommy John surgery. (Source: Alex Stumpf)

Fantasy Impact: Rodriguez missed all of last season as he recovered and rehabbed from the injury. He will be in a battle in camp for the backup role at catcher behind Joey Bart.

The Pirated have outrighted Alika Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Alex Stumpf on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Williams was removed from the 40-man roster on Monday and went unclaimed on the waiver wire. He will remain a depth option in the organization and will be a non-roster invite to spring training.

The Pirates invited Bubba Chandler to their spring training camp.

Fantasy Impact: Chandler remains one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. He is a long shot to make the Pirates Opening Day roster, but he could be called up at some point during the season.

Dennis Santana lost his arbitration case with the Pirates and will make $1.4 million next season. (Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Santana had filed to make $2.1 million. He'll look to carry over momentum from a career season last year where he posted a 2.44 ERA across 44 1/3 innings for Pittsbiurgh.

The Pirates designated Elvis Alvarado for assignment.

Fantasy Impact: Alvarado is DFA'd just a few weeks after signing a major league deal with Pittsburgh. He'll land on waivers where a team could take a chance on him.