MLB · NL Central
Pittsburgh Pirates news Thursday, November 12, 2026
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The 30-second version
- MLBAccording to Bucs Dugout, Pirates GM Ben Cherington says Mitch Keller is healthy and throwing again.
- MLBCam Schlittler wins the AL Cy Young and Jacob Misiorowski the NL Cy Young, both unanimously.
- MLBAstros hire Brad Ausmus as manager, a former Tigers and Angels skipper who was most recently Yankees bench coach.
The 5-minute version
202682–80
3rd NL Central · Missed playoffs
Fri, Feb 19 vs Blue Jays
No. 1 in the 30-second version
According to Bucs Dugout, Pirates GM Ben Cherington says Mitch Keller is healthy and throwing again.
Keller went 6-8 with a 5.29 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 2026, then finished the year on the 60-day injured list with a grade 3 muscle strain. Cherington said the Pirates need more from Keller in 2027, and Keller is signed through 2028 at $18 million next season and $20 million the year after.
Source: Bucs Dugout
From Nov 5
Pirates are predicted to sign free-agent first baseman Ty France, per Bucs Dugout.
Bucs Dugout cites Bleacher Report contributor Tim Kelly, who says more than $20 million comes off Pittsburgh's books from 2026, mostly Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna. France, 32, was an All-Star in 2022 and hit .295 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs for San Diego in 2026. The blog says he would be a strong upgrade on Spencer Horowitz, who played 114 games at first base for the Pirates this season.
Source: Bucs Dugout
From Tuesday
Pirates rank 15th in MLB.com's latest power rankings, behind seven National League teams.
Contributor Will Leitch wrote that Pittsburgh's offense exceeded most expectations and that Paul Skenes should be better in 2027, according to Bucs Dugout. The Pirates had their first winning season since 2018, and the blog says they need a major free-agent upgrade or prospect growth to join the playoff conversation.
Source: Bucs Dugout
Around the MLB
No. 2 in the 30-second version
Cam Schlittler wins the AL Cy Young and Jacob Misiorowski the NL Cy Young, both unanimously.
Schlittler posted an AL-leading 1.95 ERA and became the seventh Yankee to win the award, the first since Gerrit Cole in 2023. Misiorowski led the majors in ERA (1.80), strikeouts (252) and WHIP (0.80), and is the fourth Brewer to win the NL award, after helping Milwaukee win its first World Series. MLB Trade Rumors reported the Yankees appear interested in third baseman Alec Bohm, and NJ.com reported Brian Cashman all but confirmed Jazz Chisholm Jr. will not return.
Sources: NBC Sports · CBS Sports · USA TODAY Sports · Yahoo Sports
No. 3 in the 30-second version
Astros hire Brad Ausmus as manager, a former Tigers and Angels skipper who was most recently Yankees bench coach.
The Crawfish Boxes reported Ausmus will be the 21st manager in franchise history, with a press conference scheduled for Friday at 10 AM. Lookout Landing reported the Astros kept their pitching, hitting and first base coaches, and the hire follows GM Randy Flores's appointment two weeks earlier. Lone Star Ball noted Ausmus is reportedly close with Jeff Bagwell, an adviser to owner Jim Crane.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · CBS Sports · MLB.com · ESPN
Dodgers, Mets, Padres and Blue Jays are among the teams pursuing free agent Tarik Skubal.
Yahoo Sports reports the Dodgers and Mets have emerged as early front-runners, with the Mets viewed as the favorites. The New York Post, citing Jon Heyman, says Skubal is scheduled to meet six teams, including those four, at agent Scott Boras's California headquarters next week. Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said the team expects to meet with Skubal, and a lockout is looming next month.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · NY Post Sports · LA Times · True Blue LA
Pat Murphy wins NL Manager of the Year for a third straight season, and Will Venable takes the AL award.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the awards Tuesday, according to ESPN. Venable received 111 points to Kevin Cash's 98, and per South Side Sox, the White Sox finished 84-78 and reached the postseason for the first time since 2021. Murphy is the first manager to win three straight, and CBS Sports reports the Brewers had the league's best record.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports · South Side Sox · Brew Crew Ball
Bob Boone, World Series champ, Phillies Wall of Famer dies at 78.
Former Phillies catcher Bob Boone has died at the age of 78. In addition to being a crucial member of the 1980 World Series Championship team, Boone’s accomplishments in a Phillies uniform include three All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, and induction into the Phillies Wall of Fame.
Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia · CBS Sports · The Good Phight · Lone Star Ball
How this is made: Summaries are written with AI from the linked reporting. For the full account, read the sources.