Pittsburgh Pirates
· 2026-07-09
Pittsburgh Pirates announced on July 8, 2026 that they signed free‑agent third‑baseman Grae Kessinger to a minor‑league contract and placed him with their Triple‑A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. The move comes as the Pirates sit ninth in the National League with a 47‑46 record and a one‑game losing streak, after a 0‑3 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Grae Kessinger, a right‑handed infielder drafted in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, spent the 2023‑24 seasons with the Houston Astros. In 48 major‑league games he posted a .131 average, collected eight hits, one home run, one RBI and scored seven runs. He was most recently released by the New York Mets without appearing in an MLB game for them, spending his final stint with their Triple‑A club.
The Pirates’ infield depth has been thin after injuries to key players. Adding Kessinger gives manager Derek Sullivan a versatile bat who can cover third base and shortstop, while also providing a right‑handed option off the bench. His experience in a winning Astros clubhouse could help the young core adjust to the grind of a playoff push.
The Pirates head into the second game of the Braves series on Wednesday, fresh off a 12‑4 victory the night before. While Kessinger won’t be on the active roster for the July 8 game, his presence in Indianapolis means the club can call him up quickly if a starter goes down. The Braves, who handed Pittsburgh a 0‑3 loss, will test the Pirates’ bullpen again, so depth at third could become valuable.
Kessinger will report to Indianapolis on Thursday, where he’ll get regular at‑bats and work with hitting coach Luis Gómez. If he shows the power that produced his lone MLB home run, the Pirates could promote him before the season’s final stretch. For Pittsburgh, the signing is a low‑risk gamble that could pay off as they chase a winning record beyond their current 47‑46 mark.