RADIO
Mason Montgomery Emerging as a Top Waiver-Wire Target?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery worked around a walk to finish Saturday's 3-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of a doubleheader, striking out two in a hitless ninth for his first save of the season. Gregory Soto had closed Game 1, so Pittsburgh is still splitting late work. Montgomery has put himself squarely in the picture, though. He has allowed no runs with five strikeouts and one walk over his last three appearances, and his season total is up to 55 strikeouts in 37 innings. The 4.14 ERA is not pretty, but a 34.8% strikeout rate and 3.21 xERA make the profile more interesting than the surface number. RotoBaller now lists Montgomery alongside Soto atop a volatile committee and recommends him in 12-team leagues. With only a 2% Yahoo roster rate, he is one of the better speculative saves adds available, even if calling him Pittsburgh's closer would be premature.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Thomas Harrington Returning to Big Leagues, Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Thomas Harrington from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, sources told MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. Per MLB Pipeline, Harrington is the club's No. 12 prospect. The 24-year-old former 36th overall pick in 2022 out of Campbell University made his major-league debut with the Bucs last year and struggled in his three appearances (one start), posting a 15.58 ERA with 15 earned runs allowed, three homers surrendered, seven walks, and seven strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings pitched. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has also struggled at Indy this year, going 1-5 with a 6.52 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 56:26 K:BB in 58 innings across 20 appearances (six starts). Harrington doesn't have plus stuff on the mound, so he needs to rely on pinpoint control and keeping hitters off balance. Injuries got in the way in 2025, but he's healthy now and will look to fare better in his second taste of the big leagues. Fantasy managers in all formats can stay away for now, especially with Harrington likely filling a low-leverage relief role in his return to Pittsburgh.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Mason Montgomery the Next Closer to Roster in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery is pushing into the ninth-inning conversation as the club mixes its late-inning assignments. Montgomery struck out the side in a non-save ninth against Philadelphia on July 2, one inning after Gregory Soto handled the top of the order. The 26-year-old has a 4.50 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 34 innings, but his 50 strikeouts are the main reason to speculate on him. No one has taken control of the job. Montgomery still has zero saves, Soto owns 11, and Dennis Santana has two, so fantasy managers are betting on the next opportunity rather than a settled role. FanGraphs lists all three in the closer committee, while RotoBaller recommends Montgomery in 12-team leagues. He is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues and is worth adding for saves speculation, though managers should expect uneven ratios and a committee for now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Montgomery Worth a Look in Evolving Pirates Bullpen?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery and right-hander Dennis Santana have risen up the closer depth chart in Pittsburgh with lefty Gregory Soto struggling of late. Montgomery was afforded a couple of save opportunities in June, but the problem is he blew both of his save chances and struggled to a 6.52 ERA (3.00 FIP) with seven earned runs allowed on 11 hits (one homer) while walking six and striking out 16 in 9 2/3 innings with a 1-2 record, two blown saves, and a hold. Overall in 2026, the 26-year-old former sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 out of Texas Tech University has gone 2-3 with a 4.68 ERA (3.35 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, and 46:16 K:BB in his 32 2/3 innings pitched across 33 outings (four starts) for the Bucs. While Montgomery is a late-inning option for the Pirates in their constantly evolving bullpen, he just hasn't been consistent enough in high-leverage situations for fantasy managers to trust as a source of saves in mixed leagues. Montgomery is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Gregory Soto Struggles in Eighth-Inning Opportunity
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto entered Monday's game against the Phillies in the bottom of the eighth inning with a three-run lead. He started his outing with a strikeout of Bryce Harper, but then allowed a home run to Brandon Marsh and a single to Bryson Stott, who later came around to score as well. Soto was charged with two runs on two hits in 2/3 of an inning. He did earn his seventh hold of the season, but he has allowed at least one run in five of his last eight games. He has a 14.85 ERA in those eight outings, and his season ERA is up to 4.37. As evidenced by his entry in the eighth inning, he seems to have lost his closer role to Dennis Santana and Mason Montgomery. Montgomery finished the game on Monday night in a non-save situation and seems to be the reliever to own in Pittsburgh at this point in the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gregory Soto Remains a Priority Closer Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 33 1/3 innings (34 games) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has recorded a 4-1 record with a 3.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 31-year-old has run into some difficulties in June after a dominant start to the season, allowing six earned runs across 5 2/3 innings (seven appearances) this month. Still, Soto has notched four saves in June and looks to be secure in the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh. Soto's underlying numbers for the year remain impressive, as he's averaging 97.1 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 29.3% of the batters he's faced this season. He also does an excellent job of limiting home runs (0.54 HR/9), which should help him avoid blow-up innings. Even with his shaky performance of late, Soto remains a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in any league where he's not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gregory Soto Remains a Must-Add Closer on the Waiver Wire
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has taken hold of his team's closer role. Across 31 1/3 innings (32 games) in 2026, the 31-year-old has pitched to a 3.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 37 strikeouts, and 11 saves. Soto has run into a bit of a rough patch in June, allowing five earned runs across 3 2/3 innings (five games) this month. However, the veteran has still recorded saves in five out of his last six appearances and does not appear to be in danger of being removed from the ninth inning in Pittsburgh. Soto's underlying metrics support his strong performance so far this season, as he's averaging 97.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has recorded a 29.6% strikeout rate. Given his role in the Pirates bullpen and his production to this point, Soto is a must-add reliever in all fantasy leagues where he's not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gregory Soto Remains Priority Target for Saves on the Waiver Wire
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto remains a priority waiver-wire target for fantasy managers chasing saves. Soto has emerged as the favorite for ninth-inning work in Pittsburgh and enters Monday with 10 saves, a 3.26 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings. He has converted three saves in June, including Saturday, June 13's 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins. However, Soto has begun to struggle, allowing five earned runs over 2 2/3 innings this month, including a blown save against the Houston Astros on June 3. Mason Montgomery and Dennis Santana still give Pittsburgh other late-inning options, but Soto has the clearest path to saves given his typical usage. With a 47% Yahoo roster rate, he should be added in most formats where saves are a need, despite his inconsistent start to the month.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pirates Promoting No. 7-Ranked Prospect Antwone Kelly to the Majors
The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Antwone Kelly to the big leagues on Friday, sources told Francys Romero. The 22-year-old was born in Aruba and represented the Netherlands in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. In 54 innings this year with Triple-A Indianapolis, he has struck out 47 batters, and his fastball has reached 101 mph. Per MLB Pipeline, Kelly is considered the team's No. 7 prospect. The 5-foot-10, 238-pounder went 3-4 for Indy with a 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 47:24 K:BB in 54 innings over his 13 appearances (10 starts) on the farm before earning his first MLB call-up. With an electric right arm, there is obvious strikeout upside with Kelly, but he's initially expected to work out of Pittsburgh's bullpen, so fantasy managers shouldn't be looking to spend a grip on him off the waiver wire. Although Kelly throws plenty of strikes, he could be featured in a bullpen role long term, depending on whether he can develop his slider into a true putaway pitch.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Gregory Soto Struggles Again, is he in Danger of Being on the Hot Seat?
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto got the job done on Wednesday to earn his ninth save, but it wasn't a clean and neat outing. He only needed eight pitches, all strikes, to get through the inning, but he gave up two hits, including a two-run blast by Shohei Ohtani. The 31-year-old lefty is 4-1 in his 30 games this season with a 3.38 ERA and 3.10 FIP, and he has racked up 34 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. While he has been effective overall, he has given up five runs in his last two appearances, so he'll need to get things turned around if he wants to maintain his role as the team's top closer. If he continues to struggle, Dennis Santana and Evan Sisk could be more in the mix for saves for the Pirates.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gregory Soto Still a Priority Waiver-Wire Target After Blown Save?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while failing to record an out in Wednesday's 11-9 loss to the Houston Astros. He was charged with the blown save and suffered his first loss of the season. Despite the implosion, the veteran has been one of the more effective relievers in baseball this season and has carved out a meaningful high-leverage role. Soto owns a 2.86 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 34 strikeouts in 28⅓ innings across 29 appearances. He has already recorded eight saves and has shown the ability to miss bats consistently while limiting hard contact. His stuff has played up in shorter outings, and the Pirates' coaching staff has trusted him in save situations. While the Pirates' bullpen has had some flux, Soto has been one of the more reliable options on the left side and has earned save chances when the team is ahead late. For fantasy managers in need of saves or left-handed relief help, he remains a strong speculative add for saves, as he's rostered in 49% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gregory Soto Earns Seventh Save, Remains Must-Roster Closer
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto was called upon a little earlier than usual on Saturday. Soto came into the game in the eighth inning up by one run with two runners on and two outs. He was able to get out of the inning before closing things down in the ninth inning to earn his seventh save of the season. Soto has thrown five straight outings without allowing a hit or run. This season, Soto owns a 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and a 32:11 K:BB ratio across 27.2 innings of work. The 31-year-old has established himself as the primary closer in Pittsburgh and should be rostered in most leagues where saves matter.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Gregory Soto a Must-Add Closer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has emerged as his team's best relief option so far in 2026, pitching to a 2.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and six saves across 25 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old owns a 32% strikeout rate, and his 2.15 xERA and 2.55 FIP back up his strong results to open the year. Soto appears to have taken full control of the closer role in Pittsburgh, as he's logged five saves since the start of May. The veteran lefty also has prior experience as a closer, having racked up 48 saves over two seasons with the Detroit Tigers in 2021 and 2022. Given his performance so far and his clear runway to hold the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh for the remainder of 2026, Soto profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers across all league sizes.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carmen Mlodzinski Being Moved to the Bullpen
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly said that right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will move to the bullpen this weekend with right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list on Friday to make his season debut against the Minnesota Twins, according to Pirates insider Jason Mackey. Mlodzinski hasn't been bad this year, but he'll provide the Pirates with a valuable multi-inning arm out of the bullpen now that Jones is back. The 27-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina has gone 4-3 in 2026 with a decent 3.76 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 55 innings across his 11 appearances (nine starts) for the Bucs in his fourth year in the league. Mlodzinski will now lose whatever little fantasy appeal he had in NL-only leagues with the move to the Pirates' bullpen. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues, and that number will now most likely dip below 10% with the news of his demotion to the 'pen.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Gregory Soto Locks Down Fifth Save, Remains Priority Option on the Waiver Wire
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto recorded his fifth save of the season Sunday, tossing a scoreless inning in a win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays. Soto worked around one walk and one hit batter while striking out one during another effective ninth-inning appearance. The veteran reliever has now collected four saves across his last seven outings and continues to strengthen his grip on the Pirates' closer role. Soto owns a 2.22 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP through 24 ⅓ innings this season while piling up 30 strikeouts. His 32.6 K percent ranks in the 95th percentile, highlighting the swing-and-miss ability that has fueled his success in late innings. Fantasy managers searching for saves should continue viewing Soto as one of the top waiver wire bullpen options available.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
