Pirates Injury Update: Esmerlyn Valdez done for season, Kirby Yates return, Braxton Ashcraft

Esmerlyn Valdez’s breakout rookie season has officially come to an early end.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said during his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan that Valdez’s left hamstring injury is season-ending, meaning the 22-year-old outfielder will not return in 2026.

Valdez suffered the injury while running out a ground ball in the sixth inning of Pittsburgh’s 12-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday. He pulled up before reaching first base and had to be helped off the field by members of the Pirates’ training staff.

It’s a disappointing conclusion to what had been an encouraging season for Valdez, who emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s most impactful young hitters and positioned himself firmly in the club’s long-term plans.

The Pirates will now turn their attention toward getting Valdez healthy for the offseason, with the expectation that he will be ready to build on his promising 2026 campaign next spring.

Kirby Yates expected to return from shoulder injury during Pirates homestand

Kirby Yates appears to be closing in on a return to the Pirates’ bullpen before the end of the season.

Cherington said Yates could return “sometime this homestand” as the veteran right-hander continues working his way back from a right shoulder impingement that has kept him on the injured list since Sept. 3.

Yates threw a bullpen session Monday morning and told Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports he is feeling good, adding that he fully expects to pitch again this season barring a setback over the next several days.

The 39-year-old, who is eligible to be activated this week, has pitched well since Pittsburgh acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels ahead of the trade deadline. He owns a 2.19 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP across 12.1 innings and 13 appearances with the Pirates.

Pirates appear optimistic about Braxton Ashcraft injury

The Pirates appear to have received encouraging early news regarding Braxton Ashcraft’s right arm injury.

Cherington said during his radio show Sunday that Pittsburgh is still waiting on additional information, but the organization is “very optimistic and confident” about where things are headed.

“There’s no evidence right now of any sort of concerning structural issue in the elbow or shoulder,” Cherington said.

Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list with right arm discomfort after expressing concern following his most recent start. While the Pirates have continued evaluating the issue, Cherington’s comments suggest the club has so far avoided the worst-case scenario involving a significant structural injury.

Given the timing, a return before the end of the regular season could still be uncertain, but the more important development is that Pittsburgh doesn't currently believe Ashcraft is dealing with a major arm injury heading into the offseason.

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