Don Kelly

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Monday that they extended the contract of manager Don Kelly, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Donnie has earned the respect of the players, front office, and our fans - and he has certainly earned mine," owner Bob Nutting said. Pittsburgh put Kelly in the interim managerial role after firing Derek Shelton on May 8. The Pirates were 12-26 at the time of Shelton's firing, but they went 59-65 once Kelly took over, including going 32-33 after the All-Star break in mid-July. "I think really over the course of the last five months, it's just become very clear ... that this is the right choice," general manager Ben Cherington said. In addition to Kelly returning as the skipper in the Steel City, Cherington and team president Travis Williams will be back in 2026. There is internal optimism that the Pirates can contend next year behind a young up-and-coming pitching staff headlined by reigning National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young contender Paul Skenes.