Pirates ship rookie Khristian Curtis to Triple-A

Matthews has been sidelined since suffering a left knee sprain just before the All-Star break. He has finally made tangible strides in his recovery though and should only need a weekend’s worth of games in the minor leagues before he’s an option to rejoin the Astros.

With Austin Martin (hamstring) returning from the injured list on Thursday, Gonzalez gets squeezed off of the Twins’ active roster once again. The 22-year-old outfielder went just 2-for-8 (.250) with a pair of runs scored in his limited action with the Twins.

Martin has been shelved since August 16 due to a left hamstring strain. Prior to landing on the injured list, the 27-year-old was hitting .241/.352/.333 with three homers, 23 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 335 plate appearances. Gabriel Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move on Thursday.

With Braxton Ashcraft (arm) hitting the injured list on Thursday, Kelly will provide the bullpen with a fresh arm — at least until the Pirates decide how to manage the vacancy in their rotation. The 23-year-old has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 5/4 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings in four appearances for the Pirates this season.

Ashcraft came out of Saturday’s start against the Angels complaining of a bit of discomfort in his pitching arm and at this stage of the season the Pirates weren’t going to take any chances. It’s likely that his 2026 season has come to a close. Antwone Kelly was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move on Thursday to take his place on the Pirates’ active roster.

The Mariners entered the seventh inning trailing 3-0 and they had had just one base runner on the afternoon up until that point. An RBI single from Dominic Canzone finally got them on the board then Rodríguez followed two batters later with a 410-foot (112.4-mph EV) three-run shot off of Jakob Junis that gave the Mariners a 4-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The 25-year-old outfielder finished the day 1-for-3 and is now hitting .239/.298/.395 with 21 homers, 64 RBI and 20 stolen bases on the season.

The Mariners couldn’t get anything going against Rangers’ starter Jacob deGrom in this one, mustering just one hit through the first six frames. As soon as deGrom exited though, they took advantage. Canzone got them on the board with an RBI single in the seventh inning and he scored on a go-ahead three-run blast off the bat of Julio Rodriguez. The 29-year-old outfielder has been a solid contributor in the middle of the M’s lineup this season, slashing .254/.325/.471 with 21 homers, 66 RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 465 plate appearances.

It hasn’t been easy for Muñoz this season, and this outing was no different. He allowed a pair of two-out walks to Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter that put the tying run in scoring position but was able to get Jake Burger to ground into a fielder’s choice to end it. The 27-year-old righty now sports a 3.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and an 85/23 K/BB ratio over 54 1/3 innings on the season.

Gilbert piled up 11 strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing a pair of free passes. The damage done against him came on a two-run blast by Joc Pederson in the third and an RBI bunt single off the bat of Nicky Lopez in the fourth. Aside from that though, he was outstanding. He generated 24 swings and misses on 100 offerings — 15 of those on his slider alone — while registering an elite CSW of 35 percent. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling as he brings a 3.72 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 187/44 K/BB ratio (172 innings) into Tuesday’s divisional battle against the Angels.

The 34-year-old slugger opened the scoring in the ballgame as he ambushed a first-pitch slider from Logan Gilbert for a 385-foot (102.3-mph EV) two-run shot in the third inning. That would be his only hit on the afternoon. Pederson has had a resurgent season at the dish for the Rangers, slashing .234/.329/.488 with the aforementioned 26 long balls and 52 RBI.