Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes was lifted after just 65 pitches during a Tuesday night game against the Miami Marlins. The outing marked the fifth-shortest of Skenes’ career by pitch count. Skenes exited after five innings with the Pirates trailing 2-0. His final pitch of the night was nearly a home run, but Bryan Reynolds made a robbery to end the inning and maintain the deficit. Skenes was replaced by Yohan Ramirez in the sixth inning.
Public updates on Paul Skenes
The Pirates have not provided any public updates on whether the removal was injury-related. Codify Baseball noted that Skenes’ top pitch maxed out at 96.5 mph during the appearance. When asked if he was surprised by the early exit, Skenes stated, “not really.” He added that if he were the manager, he would likely make the same decision, noting that the manager explained the rationale behind the move and it was fully understandable, and while he wished he could have pitched longer, it was simply an unavoidable situation.
Skenes’ 2026 campaign
Skenes, a 24-year-old, three-time All-Star, has faced a challenging 2026 campaign. Through 24 starts, he has compiled a 9-10 record with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. These figures represent a departure from his historical trajectory; during his 2024 rookie year, Skenes made 23 starts with an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA, and in 2025, he went 10-10 with a 1.97 ERA while earning the National League Cy Young Award. Over his first two years, his 1.96 ERA was the best in the majors. However, over his past 15 starts, Skenes has posted a 5.20 ERA.
Speculation regarding his performance has intensified. According to John Perrotto, as shared by Andrew Fillipponi, some inside baseball circles believe that Skenes’ weight gain has been causing problems for him. Regarding his velocity, which averaged 98.8 mph as a rookie and 98.2 mph last year before dipping to 96.9 mph this season, Skenes insists he is healthy. He remarked that he finds it amusing how reporters only bring up the topic of his velocity when he has a poor performance. He further commented that while this is the first time in his career his velocity has dropped, it is not a cause for concern, adding that he does not believe high velocity is a requirement for him to pitch effectively.
Pirates navigating a difficult stretch
Beyond individual performance, the Pirates are navigating a difficult stretch in the standings. As of Friday, the team had 45 games remaining, with observers noting they would likely need to reach 88 wins to contend for a playoff spot. By the time of the Marlins series, the team had 42 games left, requiring a 30-12 record to reach that win threshold. Pirates beat reporter Colin Beazley noted that while the season continues, the team is at a point where they could run out of time.
Skenes’ status as a franchise cornerstone has also made him a frequent subject of trade rumors. Despite shutting down suggestions that he would join teams like the New York Yankees, the speculation persists. During a July 13, 2026, media availability at Citizens Bank Park, one unidentified reporter told Skenes he was a “Future Yankee,to which a confused Skenes responded,
Who’s that?” As the Pirates conclude their season, Skenes continues to work to get his performance back on track.