RADIO
De'Aaron Fox Struggles From the Field Thursday
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox was limited to five points, five rebounds, and seven assists in Thursday's 118-91 Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He shot 1-for-9 from the field and missed all three attempts from deep, but San Antonio still forced Game 7 behind a 20-0 third-quarter run and a 52-42 rebounding edge. Fox has not looked fully settled as a scorer in this series, yet the playmaking volume remains useful while the Spurs lean on Victor Wembanyama and their younger guards to carry more of the offense. Fox's fantasy line will need better efficiency to match his usual ceiling in Saturday's elimination game.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Stephon Castle Controls the Spurs Offense in Game 6 Win
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle racked up 17 points (5-for-10 FGs, 7-for-8 FTs), nine assists, five rebounds, one steal, and just one turnover in Thursday's 118-91 Game 6 win over the Thunder. The reigning Rookie of the Year notched his eighth 15/5/5 game of the postseason, behind only Magic Johnson and Larry Bird among rookies and sophomores in a single playoff run. The bigger development is the ball security: Castle had 20 turnovers across the series' first two games before settling down. That control, layered on his scoring and playmaking, is what gives him a dependable multi-category floor the rest of this run.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Dylan Harper Finds His Rhythm Thursday
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper recorded 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two three-pointers in Thursday's 118-91 Game 6 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 20-year-old rookie shot 6-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line while helping San Antonio force Game 7. After averaging only 6.0 points over the previous three games, Harper delivered a timely response in an elimination spot. He still works off the bench, but the efficient scoring and secondary playmaking keep him firmly involved in San Antonio's postseason rotation.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Victor Wembanyama Drops 28 to Force a Winner-Take-All Game 7
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama posted 28 points (10-for-21 FGs, 4-for-4 FTs), 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, three blocks, and four 3-pointers in Thursday's 118-91 Game 6 rout of the Thunder. The 7-foot-4 star opened with a pair of triples and an early block on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as San Antonio led wire-to-wire, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City. He joined David Robinson and Tim Duncan as the only Spurs with five 25-point, 10-rebound games in a single postseason. Filling all five categories anchors his fantasy value, and with a Finals berth at stake, expect another massive workload Saturday.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Andrew McCutchen is Designated for Assignment by Rangers
Texas Rangers outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been designated for assignment by the organization. It seems his time in Arlington has come to an end after an ugly beginning to the season. This season, McCutchen is 14-for-73 at the plate with one home run and five RBI across 37 games. The 39-year-old will look to play elsewhere, but it's unclear if anyone would be interested in the struggling veteran. He'd be a great clubhouse presence and leader, but his struggles with the bat might not make it worth the investment for most organizations. McCutchen isn't a relevant fantasy contributor, no matter where he lands right now.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Source: Dallas Morning News
Tyler Samaniego to Operate as Opener on Friday
Boston Red Sox reliever Tyler Samaniego will serve as the opener during Friday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Samaniego was recalled on Thursday, with Garrett Whitlock (knee) heading to the Injured List. Samaniego has been impressive with a 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, with 13 strikeouts across 18 appearances with the Red Sox this season. He won't be an ideal fantasy option with Brayan Bello expected to pitch the bulk of the innings. This recipe has worked well lately with Bello, so the Red Sox will continue using it. The right-hander could be a possible deep league option for Friday's game.
Source: Ari Alexander
Source: Ari Alexander
Nick Gonzales Exits Early with Knee Discomfort
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Gonzalez was seen limping out of the box during his at-bat in the second inning. He was removed shortly after that, with Tyler Callihan replacing him at third base. Gonzales was hitless in his lone at-bat of the game. He fouled a ball off his knee on Wednesday, so he could've aggravated that issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Gonzales as day-to-day with left knee discomfort. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins for another update on his status.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Konnor Griffin is Dealing with Forearm Soreness
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) wasn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Griffin sat out of Thursday's contest due to right forearm soreness. This sounds like a day-to-day type of issue, so it remains to be seen if Griffin will suit up for Friday's game versus the Minnesota Twins. Jared Triolo received the start at shortstop on Thursday. He could see a few starts over there until Griffin is ready to play again. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status ahead of Friday's game.
Source: Danny Demilio
Source: Danny Demilio
Esmerlyn Valdez Optioned to Triple-A
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. He'll head back to the minor leagues after playing only five games in the big leagues. During that span, Valdez went 2-for-16 with two home runs, five RBI, and struck out nine times. The Pirates likely want to see his strikeout rate improve, and Valdez should work on that in an everyday role at Triple-A. In a corresponding move, infielder Tyler Callihan has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster. Valdez is likely to be back at some point, but isn't someone worth holding in redraft formats.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Jalen Williams is Active for Game 6
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is active ahead of Thursday's Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs. Williams is back in action for the first time since Game 2 of this series. This is great news for the Thunder, who can certainly benefit from his two-way ability. Despite being active, the Thunder will stick with the same starting five from Game 5. Jared McCain scored 20 points during that game and will remain the starter even with Williams healthy. Williams should be a solid contributor off the bench, but his overall fantasy value will take a hit with him playing with the second unit.
Source: Tim McMahon
Source: Tim McMahon
Thomas Sorber is Optimistic About Playing in Summer League
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Thomas Sorber (knee) missed all of the 2025-2026 season while recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee. He was the 15th overall pick in last year's draft, but only made it through a few workouts before suffering a season-ending injury. Sorber is reportedly progressing well and believes he'll be ready to play during the upcoming Summer League. Sorber continues to work hard and take part in team workouts. It sounds like he's doing everything right and will hopefully be able to contribute next season. His overall fantasy value will be dependent on where he shakes out in the rotation.
Source: HoopsHype.com
Source: HoopsHype.com
Terry Rozier Gets Hit with New Charges
NBA veteran Terry Rozier hasn't played since the 2024-2025 season due to charges of alleged sports gambling. Federal prosecutors filed new charges against Rozier this week. Rozier allegedly took a bribe to exit early during a game with the Charlotte Hornets in March of 2023. During that game, Rozier had five points and two assists across 10 minutes of action before exiting and not returning. Rozier was not on the injury report ahead of that contest and exited in the first quarter with an injury. He hasn't played since the 2024-2025 season with the Miami Heat. He was placed on leave following federal indictments in 2025. The 10-year veteran spent time with the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets before playing two seasons with the Heat.
Source: Mike Vorkunov
Source: Mike Vorkunov
NBA Approves New Anti-Tanking Rules
The NBA Board of Governors has approved a new anti-tanking policy on Thursday. The new rules were passed with a 29-1 vote, with the Memphis Grizzlies being the lone vote against it. These new rules are a direct response to the obvious tanking that happened during the 2025-2026 season. Teams such as the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, and Grizzlies were all seen making moves that gave them a significantly lower chance at winning games. The new rules will expand the lottery to 16 teams, while flattening the odds of the bottom-3 teams in the league. In theory, these new rules will lower the tanking rate, with the worst teams not having the best odds to the top draft spots anymore.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Mitchell Robinson Suffers Broken Pinky, Remains Without a Timetable
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (finger) could be in danger of missing some time after suffering an injury earlier this week. Robinson has been diagnosed with a broken right pinky finger and remains without a timetable to return. The 28-year-old has been a key contributor as a reserve player for the Knicks. He averaged 4.5 points and 5.8 rebounds during the Eastern Conference Finals. The team hasn't shut the door on him returning for the Finals. His absence could open up more playing time for Ariel Hukporti. The Knicks would likely lean on Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, assuming Robinson misses any time. Robinson might still be able to contribute in a limited role, but being a full-go seems unlikely.
Source: James Edwards
Source: James Edwards
Isaac Guerendo Suffers Torn Pec, Could be Ready by End of Training Camp
San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) tore his pectoral muscle lifting weights around a month ago, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he could be ready at the end of training camp this summer, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Torn pectoral muscles typically end a player's season, so we're still a bit skeptical that the 25-year-old will be ready so soon. Even before his injury, the former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of Louisville had seen his stock drop considerably after not seeing a single offensive snap in Shanahan's offense in 2025 in his second year in the NFL. Brian Robinson Jr., who was the team's backup behind Christian McCaffrey last season, is now in Atlanta, but both Jordan James and rookie fifth-rounder Kaelon Black probably have a clearer path to RB2 duties in the Bay Area in 2026, especially now that Guerendo is going to miss the start of camp. Guerendo has elite speed and averaged 5.0 yards per carry on 84 rushing attempts in 16 games as a rookie, but his redraft and dynasty stock are currently at an all-time low.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Carlos Estevez Resumes Playing Catch on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals veteran right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) suffered a right rotator-cuff strain while rehabbing a foot injury on May 6, but he resumed playing catch on Wednesday, May 27, according to MLB.com. Estevez got bombed for four runs in just one-third of an inning against the Atlanta Braves in his season debut on March 28 and has been on the 15-day injured list ever since. In addition to a foot injury he suffered in that outing, Estevez was working through a noticeable dip in velocity, which was an issue in spring training as well. It's positive news that the 33-year-old is throwing again, but he has a ways to go before he'll be an option late in games for the Royals again, and he might not return until early July. Despite the disappointing season so far, his track record (124 career saves) and Lucas Erceg's struggles in the ninth inning in his absence make him a stash candidate for saves-needy fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Estevez is rostered in half of Yahoo leagues currently.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Max Scherzer to Start a Rehab Assignment on Sunday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) will start a minor-league rehab assignment and pitch for Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. His pitch count could be around 45 to 60 pitches, depending on how he feels, according to manager John Schneider. The skipper said that Scherzer will likely have another rehab outing next Friday, but "he's taking it one start at a time." The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer will be pitching in a game this weekend for the first time since going on the 15-day injured list in late April with right-forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation. Scherzer also dealt with a recurring thumb issue while ramping up his throwing, but that apparently is no longer an issue. There has been a long laundry list of injuries that the three-time Cy Young winner has dealt with in recent seasons that have prevented him from being consistent. As they say, Father Time is undefeated. Like the bulldog he is, Scherzer is fighting to make it back to the Blue Jays this year, but he isn't a lock to be a full-time member of the starting rotation sometime in June. In his first five starts in 2026, Scherzer struggled, posting a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP while going 1-3 with just 10 K's in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He's rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Red Sox Put Garrett Whitlock on Injured List With Knee Inflammation
The Boston Red Sox placed right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock (knee) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday (retroactive to May 25) with left-knee inflammation, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. In a corresponding move, the BoSox recalled left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester. Whitlock initially injured his left knee when he slipped on a wet mound in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. He has been unavailable the last few days as a result, and now he'll miss another two weeks at the very least. The 29-year-old late-inning setup man doesn't have much fantasy value without a clear path to saves in Boston, which is why he's rostered in fewer than 20% of Yahoo leagues. Still, he's a valuable bullpen piece for the Red Sox and has gone 3-1 this year with a 3.20 ERA (2.76 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and only six walks in 19 2/3 relief innings pitched.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Noah Fant Profiles as a Dynasty Drop Candidate Entering 2026
New Orleans Saints tight end Noah Fant is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career in 2025, recording 34 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns on 41 targets across 15 games for the Cincinnati Bengals. While Fant's production was enough to land him a two-year, $8.75 million contract from the Saints, just $4.5 million of Fant's money is guaranteed. His playing time outlook in New Orleans is also highly uncertain, as Saints TE1 Juwan Johnson is coming off a breakout season and the team used a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on University of Georgia tight end Oscar Delp. As he enters his eighth year in the NFL, Fant has now failed to record more than 50 catches or 500 receiving yards in a season since 2021. Dynasty managers should feel comfortable dropping Fant as he enters his age-29 campaign.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Guardians Place Steven Kwan on Bereavement List
The Cleveland Guardians placed outfielder Steven Kwan on the bereavement/family medical emergency list on Thursday, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Kwan will miss the entire three-game weekend series against the Boston Red Sox and could also miss the start of next week's series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Fantasy managers setting daily lineups must act accordingly. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is having the worst year of his career in 2026 in his fifth season in the big leagues, as he enters play on Thursday hitting just .207/.329/.259 with a .588 OSP, one home run, 12 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 54 games and 234 plate appearances. The former fifth-round selection in 2018 out of Oregon State has never been a big power guy at 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, but his speed numbers have also been down, and he currently has a career-low 8.8% hard-hit rate, which sits in the first percentile in the big leagues. Kwan has a career-low .231 BABIP as well, which means he should see some positive regression to the mean, but his current expected average sits at .229.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Andy Reid Expects Rashee Rice to be Ready for Training Camp
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said he thinks wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) will be "ready for camp as we go forward," per Around the NFL. Rice underwent knee surgery in mid-May and is also currently serving a 30-day jail sentence in Dallas County after violating the terms of his probation for his role in a high-speed car crash. The 26-year-old has had his fair share of both injury and off-field issues, as he's played in just 12 games over the past two seasons due to a knee injury, a league suspension, and a concussion. Rice was a productive player when on the field in 2025, recording 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 78 targets across eight games. However, Rice's inability to stay on the field with any consistency makes his profile extremely risky for fantasy managers.
Source: Around the NFL
Source: Around the NFL
Ezequiel Duran Back From Illness on Thursday
Texas Rangers infielder Ezequiel Duran (illness) is feeling better on Thursday and is back in the starting lineup for the series finale against the visiting Houston Astros, starting at shortstop and batting seventh against Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, according to MLB.com. Duran was pulled from Wednesday's loss to the Astros due to an illness, but he's back in there the very next day. The 27-year-old Dominican utility man doesn't have much power or speed, but he can rack up counting stats for fantasy managers in a variety of roles in Texas like he has been of late. Duran has been serving as the team's primary shortstop with Corey Seager (back) on the injured list, and he'll enter play on Thursday evening with a .279/.333/.456 slash line with a .789 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, and four steals in 47 games across 163 plate appearances in his fifth year in Texas. He's most valuable in fantasy because he's eligible at first, second, third, shortstop, and the outfield in Yahoo leagues. Duran is hitless in just three career at-bats against Arrighetti.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jordyn Tyson Remains Limited in OTAs on Thursday
New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson's participation in OTAs on Thursday was "very limited," per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Tyson dealt with a hamstring injuries during the pre-draft process and in college, and the Saints are officially managing his workload as part of a maintenance plan to build him back up after an extended absence from football. The eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Tyson recorded 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns across nine games in his final season at Arizona State. Assuming he's able to stay healthy, Tyson should immediately step in as the number two option in the Saints' passing game alongside star wideout Chris Olave. It does not appear as though Tyson's status for training camp or the start of the 2026 season is in jeopardy, but fantasy managers should still monitor for updates on his progress over the course of the summer.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
Tank Dell Not Participating in Texans OTAs
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is in attendance but not participating in his team's OTAs, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. Dell missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from the catastrophic knee injury he suffered in December 2024. The 26-year-old has a chance to be ready to go at some point in 2026 for Houston, but his return timeline currently remains uncertain. Across 14 games before getting injured in 2024, Dell recorded 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. He's flashed significant upside when healthy, but Dell is now attempting to come back from tearing his ACL, MCL, and LCL ligaments while also suffering meniscus damage. His production outlook is very difficult to project, which makes him a risky gamble for fantasy managers heading into 2026.
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN - DJ Bien-Aime
Mike LaFleur Not Concerned by Jacoby Brissett's Absence From OTAs
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is unbothered and unconcerned by quarterback Jacoby Brissett's absence from OTAs, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com. The veteran signal-caller is entering the final season of his two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Cardinals and is agitating for a new deal. While Brissett has largely operated as a backup to this point in his 10-season NFL career, he currently sits atop the Arizona depth chart. Brissett also performed well after taking over as the Cardinals' QB1 in Week 6 of 2025, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 14 games (12 starts). While it's unlikely that Arizona views the 33-year-old Brissett as its quarterback of the future, he profiles as one of the better stopgap options in the league and would certainly outperform his current contract on the open market. The quarterbacks behind Brissett on the Cardinals depth chart are veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew II and 2026 third-round pick Carson Beck.
Source: NFL.com - Grant Gordon
Source: NFL.com - Grant Gordon
Darnell Washington Participating in OTAs
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington is participating in OTAs, per Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. The 24-year-old ended the 2025 season on injured reserve after suffering a broken arm in Week 17, but it appears that he's fully healthy and ready to go heading into 2026. Across 16 games before getting injured last season, Washington hauled in 31 receptions for 364 yards and one touchdown on 43 targets. While Washington's numbers were all career-bests, he has not been able to establish himself as a reliable pass-catcher since being selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With fellow Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth still in the picture entering 2026, Washington appears unlikely to see a major role change in the upcoming season. Washington currently ranks as RotoBaller's TE40 for redraft leagues.
Source: The Pat McAfee Show - Mark Kaboly
Source: The Pat McAfee Show - Mark Kaboly
Jaylen Warren Slims Down Over the Offseason
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is down to 205 pounds for OTAs and is "looking slimmer," per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Warren was listed at 215 pounds for the 2025 season. The 27-year-old set career-highs across the board last season for the Steelers, finishing the year with 1,291 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 251 touches across 16 games (15 starts). Entering 2026, Warren projects to split backfield reps with new Steelers running back Rico Dowdle, who was signed to a two-year contract in March. Dowdle profiles as more of a downhill, short-yardage back, so Warren's weight loss could be a sign that the team wants him to focus on shiftiness for an open-field, pass-catching role. Both Pittsburgh running backs profile as mid-tier RB3/flex options entering 2026.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Chris Adamski
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Chris Adamski
Jaxson Dart Addresses Teammates to Discuss his Involvement With President Trump
New York Giants second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart addressed his teammates in a meeting on Tuesday to discuss his introduction of President Donald Trump last week at a political rally, sources told Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Other team leaders spoke up as well, and Dart and the players worked through what was a very controversial topic of the weekend. The team is moving forward. It was a very questionable decision for the 23-year-old to put himself out there politically like that, and it caused some social-media backlash by defensive lineman Abdul Carter, among others. It's not going to be much of an issue by the time the regular season rolls around, but new head coach John Harbaugh had to do a little damage control for the locker room. On the football field, Dart, a first-rounder in 2025, heads into his first full season as the starter for the G-Men as a low-end QB1 target in fantasy drafts. Despite playing in only 14 games as a rookie, Dart was a top-15 fantasy QB thanks to his impressive dual-threat abilities under center. The Ole Miss product threw for 15 touchdowns and ran for another nine. With a strong group of offensive skill players all around him, Dart is set up for success in 2026 and into the future under Harbaugh.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
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
Jared Jones Making Season Debut on Friday, a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target?
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday that right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) will come off the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the visiting Minnesota Twins at PNC Park. Jones missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow last May, but he had a nice 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings over his five minor-league rehab starts and is definitely worth a pickup off the waiver wire in mixed leagues now that he's on the cusp of his season debut for Pittsburgh. In his final rehab tune-up on the farm, Jones went 4 1/3 innings and got up to 76 pitches, so he might not have any restrictions on Friday from a pitch-count perspective. However, the Pirates will most likely be looking to limit the 24-year-old's overall workload the rest of the way in 2026 after he missed all of last year. The former second-rounder in 2020 went 6-8 in his rookie season in 2024 with a 4.14 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 132 K's and 39 walks across 22 starts and 121 2/3 innings pitched. Jones' return is a big boost for the Pirates' rotation going forward.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
