Analysis: Bae has just four plate appearances in 2025, but has struck out three times and has not reached base. In 2024, the outfielder hit for an OPS of .463, but was able to hit for a .927 OPS in Triple-A Indianapolis. With the 25-year-old struggling in the majors, but succeeding in the minors, he may find himself to be a four-A player. In a corresponding move, Alexander Canario was added to the 26-man roster.

Analysis: The Mets traded Canario to the Pirates for cash considerations Monday, but he had yet to be officially added to the roster. To make room on the roster, the Pirates optioned Ji Hwan Bae to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Analysis: His fifth-inning solo shot off Ryan Pepiot was Cruz's second long ball of the season, while his first-inning steal was already his sixth in seven games. The 26-year-old stole a career-high 22 bags in 2024, but Cruz seems intent on erasing that mark by the All-Star break. He's batting .261 (6-for-23) with four runs, four RBI and a 6:7 BB:K to begin the campaign.

Analysis: Getting Pittsburgh's first save opportunity since a struggling David Bednar was demoted to Triple-A, Santana tossed 16 of 24 pitches for strikes to get the job done against the heart of Tampa Bay's order. Colin Holderman, the other likely candidate to get a shot at closing duties, entered the game in the eighth inning and allowed a run, so the Bucs' bullpen hierarchy seems set for now. Santana has a 2.70 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through his first 3.1 innings on the year, and while he's had control issues at times in the past, the 28-year-old right-hander did post a career-best 7.3 percent walk rate in 2024.

Analysis: Last season's NL Rookie of the Year was dominant once again, firing 72 of 102 pitches for strikes, and the only run to cross the plate against Skenes was helped along by an Isiah Kiner-Falefa throwing error in the sixth inning. Skenes has a 1.46 ERA and 13:2 K:BB through his first 12.1 innings in 2025, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Analysis: It helps explain why Reynolds has been in the designated hitter spot for three straight games and four of the last five contests, as his hitting is not affected. Reynolds has started all seven games so far and it does not sound like the triceps issue will keep out of the lineup. However, it has affected the playing time of Andrew McCutchen, who has been out of the lineup for three straight contests.

Analysis: After handling a bench role in the first two games of the season, Suwinski will now pick up his fifth straight start. The uptick in playing time has come at the expense of Andrew McCutchen, who will take a seat for the third straight game. Suwinski has gone 2-for-15 with six strikeouts thus far, but he's salvaged some value with a pair of stolen bases.

Analysis: For the third game in a row, McCutchen finds himself out of the lineup. The Pirates haven't indicated that McCutchen is dealing with an injury, and the 38-year-old came off the bench in Tuesday's 7-0 loss to Tampa Bay and recorded a base hit in a ninth-inning pinch-hitting appearance. Rather than because of his own health, McCutchen's recent absences seem to be a byproduct of Bryan Reynolds dealing with right tricep soreness, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports. Reynolds has still been able to take at-bats without discomfort while he manages the injury, so he'll remain in the lineup at designated hitter for the third straight game while Jack Suwinski fills in for him in right field. Once Reynolds is ready to play the outfield again, McCutchen could be prioritized over Suwinski.

Analysis: Bart will take a seat as the Pirates and Rays wrap up their series with a day game after a night game. Endy Rodriguez will receive a turn behind the plate Wednesday.

Analysis: Holderman is high on the Pirates' bullpen hierarchy, but he's struggled in all three of his appearances this season, permitting three runs on four hits and three walks. As such, Dennis Santana might be a better bet to get the first crack at the closer job for Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Santana was excellent for the Pirates last season after being claimed off waivers, posting a 2.44 ERA and 50:11 K:BB over 44.1 innings while notching one save. He hasn't allowed a hit or a run in his first two appearances in 2025, holding a 3:2 K:BB in 1.1 frames. Colin Holderman could also be in the saves mix for Pittsburgh, although he's struggled this season in yielding three runs on four hits and three walks over three innings.

Analysis: Rodriguez has garnered three starts at first base and one start at catcher in the early going, but he will begin Tuesday's tilt on the bench. Enmanuel Valdez will handle first base, and Joey Bart will do the catching for Pittsburgh.

Analysis: McCutchen isn't dealing with any known injury, but he's now been absent from the Pirates' lineup for three of the last four games. Bryan Reynolds is getting a start in the designated hitter spot, while Jack Suwinski is covering right field.

Analysis: The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Thomas Harrington, who is up to start Tuesday's game against the Rays. Delay is just a career .231/.295/.315 hitter over parts of three big-league seasons but could draw interest via waivers from a club in need of catching depth.

Analysis: Bednar really struggled last season and has been tagged for four runs (three earned) over three appearances while recording just three outs so far this season. The Pirates have elected to have him work out his issues in a less pressurized environment. Dennis Santana and Colin Holderman are the top candidates for saves in the Pirates' bullpen.

Analysis: Mlodzinski got through three innings without allowing a run, but the Rays tagged him for four runs in the fourth inning. Before he got a chance to record the final out of the frame, the right-hander was lifted after throwing 66 pitches. Mlodzinski is filling in for the injured Jared Jones (lat) in Pittsburgh's rotation, so he could have some streaming appeal in deep leagues in favorable matchups as long as he hangs onto a starting role.

Analysis: This move is unrelated to Jones' timetable for a return, as the club already announced that the right-hander is likely out until June. The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Alexander Canario, who was acquired from the Mets earlier Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Analysis: Canario is out of minor-league options, so he will join the Pirates' major-league roster. The 24-year-old looks to be in line for a reserve role in Pittsburgh, but he's a flier with some upside.

Analysis: Though he appeared to have a chance at seeing steady playing time at first base to begin the season while Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is on the shelf, Triolo has started just twice through the Pirates' first five games, with one of those coming at third base. Endy Rodriguez has instead emerged as the preferred option at first base and should handle a near-everyday role while moving between that position and catcher.

Analysis: McCutchen will sit for the second time this season after he made three starts during the Pirates' four-game series with the Marlins last week. Bryan Reynolds will get a day off from outfield duty and will occupy the designated-hitter spot while McCutchen hits the bench.