WILL GRAVES Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler delivers during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler makes history during electric, efficient major league debut

August 22, 2025

Bubba Chandler has made an impressive major league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 22-year-old right-hander, considered the top pitching prospect in baseball, threw four scoreless innings in relief and earned the save in a 9-0 win over Colorado on Friday night. Chandler was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day. He entered the game in the sixth inning after Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft allowed just one hit over five innings. Chandler’s first pitch was a 99 mph fastball. He struck out three batters and allowed only two hits. The Pirates plan to use Chandler in a relief role for now.

FILE - Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler delivers in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Pirates are going to call up Bubba Chandler, baseball’s top pitching prospect

August 20, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to promote 22-year-old right-hander Bubba Chandler ahead of their game Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Chandler is baseball’s top pitching prospect. Pirates manager Don Kelly said he’s excited to add Chandler to a staff that already includes 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. Chandler is expected to initially work in a bulk bullpen role. He got off to a hot start in Triple-A this year, but has stumbled lately and is currently 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 100 innings pitched this year for Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pirates ace Paul Skenes is having a Cy Young-worthy season everywhere but the win-loss column

August 18, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is putting together a Cy Young-worthy season everywhere but in the win-loss column. The 23-year-old Skenes’ record still sits at 7-9 following a no-decision in Pittsburgh’s 5-2 win over Toronto. Skenes has recorded a no-decision 10 times this season. He’s allowed two runs or less in nine of those games. Skenes says he doesn’t get caught up in his win total as long as the Pirates have more runs than the opponents at the end of every game he plays.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater watches during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Teddy Bridgewater is hoping to make the best of his NFL return amid high school coaching suspension

August 15, 2025

Teddy Bridgewater is back in the NFL, just a little earlier than the well-traveled quarterback would have preferred. Bridgewater’s initial plan this season was to coach Northwestern High School in Miami this fall, then explore his options of returning to the league as he did a year ago when he led the Bulls to a state title and signed as a backup in Detroit. Instead, Bridgewater was suspended from coaching for self-reporting potentially impermissible benefits to Northwestern players. The 32-year-old Bridgewater still keeps in touch with the high school team but is also happy to be in Tampa Bay, where he brings a veteran presence to a quarterback room led by Baker Mayfield.

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington speaks during a baseball news conference in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Pirates GM Cherington believes deadline moves create options for 2026. In what way is uncertain

August 1, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington believes the team’s moves at the trade deadline created flexibility going into 2026. The Pirates sent away third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, closer David Bednar and starting pitcher Bailey Falter in exchange for prospects. Cherington says the team will use the next two months to provide opportunities for younger players and will explore adding a veteran bat through trade or free agency during the offseason. Pittsburgh is in last in the NL Central despite a strong pitching staff led by Cy Young candidate Paul Skenes.

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes catches a line drive hit by San Francisco Giants' Wilmer Flores during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Pirates send 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes to Reds for reliever Taylor Rogers, a prospect and cash

July 30, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded Gold Glove-winning third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds for veteran reliever Taylor Rogers, shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura and cash. The 28-year-old Hayes gives the Reds an elite defender at the hot corner who is under contract for the rest of the decade. The 20-year-old Stafura, a second-round pick by the Reds in 2023, is considered one of the better prospects in Cincinnati’s system.

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates his sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

The Pittsburgh Steelers make star linebacker T.J. Watt the NFL’s highest-paid defender

July 17, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made star outside linebacker T.J. Watt the NFL’s highest-paid defender. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that Watt has agreed to a three-year pact that will average $41 million annually. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been made public. Watt, who was entering the final season of the four-year extension he signed in 2021, skipped organized team activities and mandatory minicamp to put pressure on the Steelers’ front office for a new contract.

Thriston Lawrence, of South Africa, lines up a putt on the 12th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Friday, June 13, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

At the US Open, golf’s toughest test starts with two (or three) of its longest days

June 13, 2025

There’s no such thing as a quick 18 holes at the U.S. Open, particularly when it’s at Oakmont. Players needed more than 5 1/2 hours or more to get through each of the opening two rounds, much slower than what they might find at a regular tour stop. Oakmont’s daunting layout is part of the issue. The difficulty of the course doesn’t help. Viktor Hovland, who will head into the weekend in contention, tried to see the silver lining. Hovland said the lengthy wait between shots helped him to mentally reset after a difficult hole or a poor shot.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, right, talks with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during practice at NFL football minicamp in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

It didn’t take DK Metcalf long to show the Steelers what they’re getting in their new wide receiver

June 11, 2025

New Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is quickly making an impression. Metcalf nearly chased down safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on an interception return during the first day of minicamp. The play echoed Metcalf’s memorable 90-yard sprint to tackle Arizona’s Budda Baker five years ago. Metcalf says it doesn’t matter this it was only practice, running after a defender who gets his hands on the ball is part of the job. Metcalf is the unquestioned leader of Pittsburgh’s mostly young wide receiver group. The 27-year-old says he plans to lead by example but also considers himself an “open book” to more inexperienced players such as Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson.

Aaron Rodgers says his decision to play in Pittsburgh this season was ‘best for my soul’

June 10, 2025

Aaron Rodgers says his decision to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers is centered on his love for the game. The four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year deal to join the Steelers earlier this month and joined his new teammates on the field for the opening day of minicamp. The 41-year-old Rodgers spent most of his time getting to know his surroundings, but head coach Mike Tomlin said Rodgers is the team’s starting quarterback. Rodgers said the decision to come back for a 21st season was not driven by ego but what was best for his soul.

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers first round draft pick linebacker T.J. Watt participates in a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp, May 12, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, file)

Steelers star linebacker TJ Watt skips the start of mandatory minicamp

June 10, 2025

Aaron Rodgers is ready to take the practice field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt is not. The star outside linebacker is skipping the start of mandatory minicamp. Watt likely is eyeing a new deal as he enters the final year of his current contract. The four-time All-Pro and 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year extension in September 2021 that was scheduled to pay him $112 million and made him the highest-paid defender in the league at the time. Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett now holds that honor after signing a deal worth $40 million a season in March.

New York Rangers assistant coach Dan Muse, right, watches during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker File)

Penguins hire Rangers assistant Dan Muse to replace Mike Sullivan as coach

June 4, 2025

Dan Muse is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins hired the former New York Rangers assistant and tasked him with helping the franchise navigate a rebuild during the twilight of longtime captain Sidney Crosby’s career. Muse replaces Mike Sullivan. Sullivan and the Penguins split in April after a nearly decade-long tenure that included a pair of Stanley Cup titles. The Rangers scooped up Sullivan, naming him their coach in May. The 42-year-old Muse was hired after a monthlong search by Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas. Muse’s hiring leaves the Boston Bruins as the last of eight teams with offseason head coaching vacancies.

Despite the ‘constant noise’ surrounding Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph happy to be back in Pittsburgh

May 27, 2025

Mason Rudolph says he’s focused on being the best quarterback he can for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and not the club’s pursuit of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph returned to Pittsburgh on a two-year deal in March. At the moment, he is also the most experienced quarterback on the roster. That would change if Rodgers signs. Rudolph says he’s learned during his career that there’s always noise surrounding a team and that he can only control what he can control.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pirates ace Paul Skenes on the idea the last-place club should trade him: ‘Anybody can play GM’

May 24, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes says he’s not paying attention to the suggestion that the club should trade him. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year says he laughed when someone told him that someone asked Pirates general manager Ben Cherington if the club would consider moving on from Skenes to bolster its prospect pool. The 22-year-old Skenes says he brushed the speculation off, adding that ‘anybody can play GM.’ Cherington said trading Skenes is ‘not part of the conversation’ for the last-place club. Skenes is 3-5 with a 2.36 ERA in 11 starts this season for Pittsburgh and pitched six solid innings in what became a 6-5 victory over Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Pirates GM Ben Cherington says trading ace Paul Skenes is ‘not at all part of the conversation’

May 22, 2025

The last-place Pittsburgh Pirates have no interest in trading young ace Paul Skenes. General manager Ben Cherington says moving the 22-year-old Skenes is “not part of the conversation at all.” The Pirates are already 11 games out of playoff position before Memorial Day thanks in large part to an offense that ranks near the bottom of the majors in nearly every major category. While the Pirates have a deep pool of pitching prospects, they are lacking in quality young position players in the minors. Trading Skenes might help, but Cherington says that discussion is a non-starter. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year is 3-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 2025.

WILL GRAVES Sports Writer.