Pittsburgh Pirates
· 2026-07-08
Pittsburgh Pirates announced the signing of former Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox outfielder Joshua Palacios to a minor‑league contract, sending him straight to Triple‑A Indianapolis. The move comes as the NL Central club sits 8th in the National League with a 47‑45 record and a three‑game winning streak, fresh off a 12‑4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 7, 2026.
Palacios, 27, made his MLB debut with Toronto in 2021 and logged 51 games for Chicago in 2025, posting a .203 average and a .596 OPS over 145 plate appearances. In five big‑league seasons he’s a .223/.287/.349 hitter with 15 home runs, ten of which came in a Pittsburgh uniform during the 2023 campaign. His minor‑league track record shows a solid strikeout‑to‑walk ratio, though he has struggled to translate that success against major‑league pitching.
The outfield depth chart in Pittsburgh has been thin after injuries to key starters, and Palacios offers a versatile piece who can moonlight in center but is primarily a corner outfielder. His familiarity with the organization – he spent parts of 2023‑24 with the Pirates – means a quick adjustment period. Manager Derek Shelton praised the signing as “adding a known quantity who can contribute right away if the need arises.”
With the club perched at 47‑45 and chasing a playoff push, the Pirates have been shuffling prospects and veterans alike. Adding a player who logged ten homers for the team last year gives them a low‑risk option to plug a hole should a starter go on the IL. Palacios also brings a veteran presence to a young Triple‑A squad, potentially mentoring rising talents like outfielder Jameson Hannah.
Palacios will report to Indianapolis this week and is expected to compete for playing time in the outfield during spring training. If his swing adjusts to major‑league velocity, he could earn a call‑up as the Pirates look to solidify their bench depth heading into the final stretch of the season. His brother Richie, now with the Tampa Bay Rays, will be watching closely, hoping the family name adds another chapter in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates’ next series begins on July 10 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Should an injury occur or a starter underperform, Palacios is positioned to fill the gap, offering a left‑handed bat and defensive flexibility. The club’s recent 12‑4 win over Atlanta shows the offense can produce runs in bursts, and Palacios could be the spark the lineup needs to keep the momentum rolling.