Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (ankle) suffered what is believed to be a mild ankle injury while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, according to sources. Cruz will be out at least through the weekend as he undergoes further testing. Because it's expected to be a minor ankle injury, Cruz should be just fine heading into spring training and the 2023 regular season. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound shortstop just wrapped up his first full season in the major leagues with the Pirates and finished with a .233/.294/.450 slash line, a .744 OPS, 17 home runs, 54 RBI, 45 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 361 plate appearances and 87 games. If the 24-year-old can continue to limit the strikeouts, he will continue to be one of the most exciting young players in baseball at a premium position.

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that first baseman Ji-Man Choi (elbow) will have a minor procedure on his right elbow in Korea. Choi dealt with an elbow injury while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, but Cherington said he expects Choi to return to the States to prepare for spring training in January. The Pirates just acquired the 31-year-old left-handed hitter from the Rays on Thursday, but they already knew about his planned surgery. Choi is expected to enter the 2023 season as the team's primary first baseman after finishing his 2022 season with a .233/.341/.388 slash line, 11 home runs, 52 RBI and 36 runs scored in 419 plate appearances over 113 games played.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back, hip) said on Tuesday that he has been dealing with a hip issue "all year" that has caused back discomfort since the start of spring training. He initially felt discomfort lifting weights during the lockout, and the hip issue has affected his performance at the plate and in the field, where he's a front-runner to win a Gold Glove in 2022. At the plate, he's slashing .245/.316/.347 with a team-best 24 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 41 RBI and a career-high 20 stolen bases in 135 games. Fantasy managers were looking for more from Hayes this year, but with better health in 2023, there's still more upside from the 25-year-old former first-round pick.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander JT Brubaker (arm) has been activated from the 15-day injured list and is making his final start of the 2022 season on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fantasy managers still playing for a championship in the final two days of the regular season will want to avoid Brubaker as a streamer, though, since he'll be on a pitch count after ramping up over the last several weeks. The 28-year-old is 3-12 on the year and has a 4.58 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.46 WHIP, 145 strikeouts and 53 walks in 141 1/3 innings over his 27 starts for the Bucs in his third major-league season. In his last start against the New York Mets on Sept. 15, Brubaker allowed five earned runs on seven hits in just three innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Wil Crowe (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation. His season is officially over, and it's unknown at this time if the right-hander will return by the start of Spring Training. The 28-year-old posted a 6-10 record, a 4.38 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 68:38 K: BB across 76 innings. Crowe was used in high-leverage situations, converting 4-of-6 save opportunities and securing 16 holds in 2022. Junior Fernandez was recalled in a corresponding move.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) is back in the lineup on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old third baseman missed the previous three games with some back discomfort but he's good to go on Sunday, starting at third base and batting fifth against Adrian Sampson.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) has been dealing with lower back discomfort and is out of the lineup again Saturday. That would explain why he hasn't started the teams last three games. The 25-year-old hasn't taken the next step that many expected from him this season, as he has slashed just .243/.314/.348 with seven homers and 18 steals in 474 at-bats. The steals are nice, but the lack of power and mediocre average make him hard to use in fantasy, especially when his counting stats are never going to be high while he's playing for the Pirates. His expected stats show promise, but it will be hard to invest more than a late-round flier pick on him next year.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced that All-Star closer David Bednar (back) will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Thursday, with left-hander Eric Stout (back) going on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Bednar made three minor league rehab outings with Triple-A Indianapolis before he was activated, and he'll have time to contribute a handful of save chances before the year is up. Wil Crowe had been serving as Pittsburgh's closer with Bednar on the shelf, but expect the 27-year-old Bednar to return to his role in the ninth inning now that he's back. Before his injury, Bednar had a 2.70 ERA (2.49 FIP), a 1.07 WHIP, a career-high 17 saves and 63 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings. Scoop him up if he's available on the waiver wire and you're still chasing saves.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (back) tossed another scoreless inning in a minor league rehab outing with Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, giving up one hit while walking none and striking out two. Barring any setbacks, he should be able to come off the injured list to rejoin the Pirates bullpen at some point this week. Before his injury, the 27-year-old All-Star was having a fine year with a 2.70 ERA (2.49 FIP), a 1.07 WHIP, career-high 17 saves and 63 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings pitched. Wil Crowe has been serving as the team's closer with Bednar sidelined, but it's possible that Bednar will see some ninth-inning save chances to close out the 2022 regular season.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (lat) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right lat discomfort. The 28-year-old righty left his start on Thursday early with the issue and he landed on the IL three days later. Pitcher Luis Ortiz was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Brubaker has a chance to come back for another start before the season ends but if he's unable to return, he'll finish the year with a 3-12 record, 4.58 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts over 141 1/3 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (back) is set to make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, according to general manager Ben Cherington. If Bednar doesn't experience any setbacks in that outing then he should return to the Pirates this week. The 27-year-old reliever posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 63:14 K/BB ratio over 46 2/3 innings to go along with 17 saves before heading to the IL in early August with lower back inflammation.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (back) threw a perfect inning with no strikeouts or walks in his latest minor league rehab outing for Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday night. Bednar didn't allow a hit or a run in his inning of work. It was his second rehab appearance after starting his rehab assignment on Tuesday. Barring a setback with Indy, the 27-year-old right-hander could rejoin the Pirates bullpen later this weekend or early next week. Before his injury, Bednar had been having a fine season with a 2.70 ERA (2.49 FIP), a 1.07 WHIP, 17 saves and 63 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings as Pittsburgh's closer. He won't have much time to rack up numbers for fantasy managers the rest of the way, though, and it remains to be seen if he'll take the closer's role back from Wil Crowe.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker threw just three innings during Thursday's start before getting removed with lat discomfort. The right-hander wasn't very sharp in the outing by giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks, but he was able to strike out five batters on the night. The team has yet to provide any further information of his injury, but with their season going nowhere, there was no need to push him any further. There's a good chance Brubaker misses his next scheduled start the Yankees next week, but look for the club to update his status within the next 24 hours.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (back) is starting a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday for Triple-A Indianapolis. Bednar threw a live batting practice session over the weekend on Saturday and will now embark on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Bucs bullpen for the conclusion of the 2022 season this month. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since July 29. Bednar did have a nice 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 17 saves and 63 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings pitched for the Pirates before landing on the injured list, but with not much time left in the season, he's unlikely to see many save chances the rest of the way. Wil Crowe has been filling in as Pittsburgh's closer of late.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (back) has a shot to return this season, according to general manager Ben Cherington. On his radio show, the GM noted that Bednar would need a minor league rehab assignment before his return, but he did throw a live batting practice session on Saturday. The 27-year-old reliever has been out since early August with lower back inflammation. The Pirates season is long over, but it would be nice to see the 2022 All-Star return to the field before the year is over.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher David Bednar (back) threw live batting practice on Saturday. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment before returning from the injured list. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since July 29 with a back issue. He has converted 17-of-21 save opportunities with a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 63:14 K: BB across 46 2/3 innings in 2022. Bednar will be Pittsburgh's primary closer once activated, and fantasy managers should continue to stash the right-hander in all league formats.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (shoulder) is back at third base and is hitting fifth on Tuesday against the New York Mets and right-hander Taijuan Walker. Hayes missed a couple games with left shoulder discomfort, but he's back in there on Tuesday for the Bucs and fantasy managers. The 25-year-old has only played in one game so far in September, and he hit just .227 (15-for-66) with a homer, seven RBI, three runs scored and 19 strikeouts in 18 games in August. Fantasy managers will be hoping he can pick it up at the plate to close out the final season of 2022. Overall, Hayes is hitting .242/.311/.346 with six home runs, 36 RBI, 44 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 422 at-bats in his third big-league season.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes left Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with left shoulder discomfort. Hayes received treatment from the medical staff after the injury and can be considered day-to-day for the time being. He went 0-for-2 in the game before he was replaced in the lineup by Kevin Newman. Hayes injured himself attempting a diving stop in the field. Hayes is hitting .242 with six homers, 44 runs, 36 RBI, and 14 steals in 2022. Look for the Pirates to update Hayes' status before the start of Saturday's contest.

The Pittsburgh Pirates activated third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Hayes has arguably been Pittsburgh's best position player this season, batting .251 with a .323 on-base percentage, six home runs, and 13 stolen bases in 434 plate appearances this season. He should continue to be a quality fantasy option down the stretch, especially with his ability to steal bases. The Pirates also optioned fellow infielder Kevin Padlo to Triple-A to make room for Hayes on the active roster.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (finger) has been cleared to make his start against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. He was lifted during Thursday's outing due to a blister on his pitching hand. It sounds like the Pirates caught the injury early and avoided a long term problem. He'll carry a 4.19 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through 23 starts into his outing against Atlanta. There is some low-end streaming appeal here for deep league managers.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) could return from the injured list as early as Tuesday. General manager Ben Cherington told reporters on Sunday that the team is "optimistic" that Hayes will be activated on Tuesday, which would represent the minimum stay for the 25-year-old. Hayes suffered a mid-back muscle strain on August 13 but has already been running the bases in pre-game drills so it doesn't appear all that serious. He's slashing .251/.323/.358 with six home runs, 35 RBI, and 13 stolen bases over 391 at-bats on the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (finger) was superb on Thursday, tossing seven shutout frames to help his club defeat the Red Sox 8-2. He allowed just two hits on the evening while striking out seven and walking no one, but he was pulled at 84 pitches after a small blister developed on his finger in the sixth. Manager Derek Shelton said Brubaker was lifted from the game to prevent it from getting any worse, so his status should be monitored in the next few days to see if he'll make his next start versus the Braves. Although Thursday's effort was sharp, Brubaker hasn't been consistent enough for fantasy purposes in any role other than as a deep-league streamer.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher David Bednar (back) should be ready to begin a throwing program later this week or early next week. He was placed on the 15-day injured list two weeks ago due to a lower back issue. The 27-year-old will begin a throwing program soon and start a rehab assignment as early as next week. He is 17-for-21 in saves chances with a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 63:13 K: BB across 46 2/3 innings in 2022. Wil Crowe will handle closing duties for the Pirates until Bednar is activated from the injured list. Crowe hasn't recorded a save since August 2 and is only an option for fantasy managers searching for saves in deep-league formats.