Here are the top players you should consider claiming off the fantasy baseball waiver wire this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates (52-48, fourth in the NL Central) vs. New York Yankees (55-44, second in the AL East)

— Paul Skenes allowed one run and struck out eight in seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-1 on Sunday.

Pirates rookie OF Esmerlyn Valdez is the fourth player in major league history with at least 12 homers and 31 RBIs in their first 31 games.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cleveland Guardians: Game Highlights

Valdez went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and two RBI in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Guardians. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Skenes (9-8) earned the win against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Pirates right-hander Jared Jones became the third Pirates pitcher to retire at least 30 straight batters, a streak that ended Saturday in a 7-1 win over the Guardians.

The Pirates have selected the contract of right-hander Khristian Curtis from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to today’s doubleheader with the Guardians. (Reporter Alex Stumpf noted earlier today that Curtis had a locker in the Pittsburgh clubhouse.). Oneil Cruz was moved to the 60-day injured list to open up space for Curtis on the 40-man roster, and […]

TODAY: The Nats officially called up Ford yesterday, and manager Blake Butera revealed (to team reporter Alexa Datt and other media) that Millas underwent surgery on his left index finger. It doesn’t appear as the surgery will threaten Millas’ season, as Butera said “hopefully…it’s not too long a recovery process.” This latest procedure removed a […]

The Pirates transferred Cruz (hand) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

The Pirates haven’t made the playoffs in a decade, the longest active drought in the National League. Pittsburgh made a few additions to the lineup over the winter and have swung one of the biggest in-season trades so far to continue building out the back of the roster. A few hits to the lineup threatened […]

Anthony Franco Good afternoon, hope all is well! Some trade activity should be picking up in the next week or two, exciting time for us! Let’s get rolling Knowitalllad What gets Rodriguez and Miller from the Padres to the Pirates? Cruz and Horowitz? Add Barco? Ben Cherrington Read someplace fifth hand that someone proposed Cruz […]

Jones will no longer make a start for the Pirates on Friday after their game versus the Guardians was postponed due to air quality conditions. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

The Orioles have traded for right-hander Cam Sanders, the team announced. The Pirates designated Sanders for assignment last week. Pittsburgh will receive cash in the deal. Baltimore moved lefty Keegan Akin to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot. Sanders was optioned to Triple-A. Sanders was bumped off the roster after the Pirates […]

Mark P Is this the final Weekend Chat of the first half, or technically the first Weekend Chat of the second half? While I ponder this mind-bender, feel free to send in some questions about, y’know, baseball or something BuccoFan35 Anything on the Pirates Mark P The Gonzalez/Eisert deal is a sign that the Bucs […]

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Game Highlights

— Paul Skenes won his second straight start after going winless for nine in a row as the Pittsburgh Pirates scored 10 runs in the fourth inning to rout the Milwaukee Brewers 14-5 Sunday and head into the All-Star break with a three-game sweep.

Milwaukee Brewers (59-36, first in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (49-47, fourth in the NL Central)

Reynolds went 2-for-6 with a walk, a double, an RBI and two runs scored across both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Brewers. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.