The Latest Breaking News from Pirates

CINCINNATI — Josh VanMeter probably doesn’t want to return to Great American Ball Park any time soon. Pirates fans, meanwhile, likely aren’t clamoring for VanMeter to return at all, especially with Kevin Newman and Jake Marisnick seemingly at the tail end of their rehab assignments with Class AAA Indianapolis.

CINCINNATI — At every stop throughout his major league career, Roansy Contreras has been known for his ability to respond. Within an inning or even sometimes at-bats, the 22-year-old is unusually mature when it comes to making adjustments and learning lessons faster than his peers. It’s one of the many…

PITTSBURGH — It’s been five years, but apparently a piece of Gerrit Cole’s heart is still connected to this place. The Yankees ace was nostalgic Tuesday afternoon when he met with writers that covered him back when he was the Pirates ace.

BOSTON — The Rays added another infielder to their stash on Tuesday, claiming Yu Chang off waivers from the Pirates.

How all 30 MLB clubs stack up around the 81-game mark.

The Pirates are almost halfway done with their season. That unofficially important mark will come Wednesday, when they wrap up a two-game set against the best team in baseball, the New York Yankees.

PITTSBURGH — Last time Zach Thompson was on the mound, before right elbow nerve inflammation put him on the 15-day injured list, he put together a solid, 4 1/3-inning, two-run effort against the San Francisco Giants.

PITTSBURGH — Bryse Wilson still faces a climb ahead of him to prove he can be a capable MLB starting pitcher, but Saturday was a step in the right direction.

PITTSBURGH — As much fun as the Pirates’ previous two games had been, with Bryan Reynolds and Michael Perez delivering back-to-back three-homer performances, Friday’s 19-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers represented the other end of the spectrum.