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PITTSBURGH — Pirates ace Paul Skenes struck out nine over six solid innings in a win Monday to bring his strikeout total for the year to 151, a franchise record for a rookie.

The 22-year-old Skenes (10-2) allowed one run on six hits in the 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins, lowering his ERA to 2.10. The 6-foot-6 right-hander’s fastball hit 100 mph six times while becoming just the fourth rookie ever to reach 150 strikeouts in 20 starts or less, joining Kerry Wood, Dwight Gooden and Mark Prior.

Cy Blanton in 1935 previously held the record for most strikeouts by a Pirates rookie.

“I think that just goes to the quality of his stuff,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “This kid’s got elite stuff, and he’s going to strike out a lot of people throughout his career.”

While Skenes wasn’t particularly efficient — he needed 98 pitches to record 18 outs and retired Miami in order just once — he was able to avoid major trouble to bolster his bid for National League Rookie of the Year.

Skenes’ rapid rise has been one of the bright spots for the Pirates, who saw their hopes of staying in the postseason mix die during a miserable August.

While the team around him has scuffled, Skenes has kept right on going. Though his velocity has dipped slightly since his electrifying debut, he started to lean a little heavier on a repertoire that includes a “splinker” (a mix of a sinker and a splitter), designed to keep hitters off balance. He used a handful of different types of pitches to record a strikeout against Miami.

When he retired Marlins rookie Griffin Conine on a grounder to first to end the sixth, the thin mid-September crowd at PNC Park rose to its feet to laud Skenes in one of his final home starts of the season.

“That’s pretty dang cool every time,” Skenes said. “So, yeah, just keep showing up for the games. And hopefully, I mean, the goal is to keep giving them moments like that.”

Pittsburgh has been spacing out Skenes’ appearances to help him get through his first full year as a professional healthy. The Pirates will finish a nine-game homestand with three against the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. Skenes could potentially start the finale.

While Skenes allowed there “probably is a limit” to the number of innings he pitches this year — he’s at 147⅓ innings all told between Triple-A and the majors — he doesn’t think he’s going to reach it this year. Besides, he also thinks he’s built to withstand the workload.

“I’m 22, I’m conditioned to throw a lot of innings I think,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Orioles agree to 1-year deal with OF Carlson

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Orioles agree to 1-year deal with OF Carlson

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles agreed to terms with Dylan Carlson on a $975,000, one-year contract Monday, a couple of months after the outfielder was non-tendered by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Carlson was a first-round draft pick in 2016 by the St. Louis Cardinals, and he hit 18 home runs in his first full season in 2021. Since then, however, he’s hit only 16.

Carlson hit .209 with three home runs and 25 RBIs in 96 games for the Cardinals and Rays in 2024, but at age 26 the switch-hitter may still have some upside and can play all three outfield spots.

The Orioles lost right fielder Anthony Santander to Toronto via free agency, and they’ve added outfielder Tyler O’Neill. Also in the mix for playing time in the Baltimore outfield are Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad.

Carlson’s deal includes a $25,000 bonus if he reaches 200 plate appearances.

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Cubs acquire veteran RHP Pressly from Astros

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Cubs acquire veteran RHP Pressly from Astros

CHICAGO — The Cubs have acquired closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros.

Pressly was to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the move, and Houston was to send money to help cover his $14 million salary, sources told ESPN.

The Cubs sent right-handed pitcher Juan Bello back to Houston in the deal. Bello, 20, spent three years in the Cubs organization, playing for Class-A Myrtle Beach last season where he had a 3.21 ERA in 22 games started.

Pressly, 36, is likely to become the Cubs’ closer, a role he held with Houston from 2021 to 2023 before the Astros signed Josh Hader to a long-term contract. The veteran righty has 112 saves with a 3.27 ERA during his 12-year career, which includes six seasons in Minnesota.

The Astros showed its appreciation of the righty on social media, dubbing him “H-Town’s finest” and thanking him.

Pressly will join a bullpen that blew 26 saves last season, as the Cubs are looking to make a playoff push in 2025. Chicago hasn’t been to the postseason since 2020, working without an established closer over the past few years.

Righty Adbert Alzolay was ineffective last season, then he suffered a forearm injury and eventually needed Tommy John surgery. Porter Hodge, 23, finished the season as the closer, but the team wanted more experience and depth in the back end of the bullpen.

The Cubs pursued lefty Tanner Scott before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last weekend, according to league sources. Chicago was less interested in the other free agent closers, instead settling for Pressly, who has one year left on a three-year, $42 million contract signed before the 2023 season.

Pressly will join newcomers Eli Morgan, Cody Poteet, Matt Festa, Caleb Thielbar and Rob Zastryzny in the Cubs’ bullpen.

The trade likely concludes the bulk of the team’s winter moves.

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Reports: Pirates reuniting with veteran Frazier

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Reports: Pirates reuniting with veteran Frazier

PITTSBURGH — Adam Frazier is heading back to the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to multiple reports.

The club has agreed to terms with the veteran second baseman/outfielder on a one-year deal worth $1.525 million, per the reports. The deal is pending Frazier passing a physical.

Frazier, 33, spent the first five-plus seasons of his career with the Pirates from 2016 to ’21. He hit .283 with 39 homers and 204 RBIs in 608 games with Pittsburgh. Frazier made the All-Star Game in 2021 before being traded to the San Diego Padres.

Frazier has bounced around recently, playing for the Seattle Mariners in 2022, Baltimore Orioles in 2023 and Kansas City Royals last season. Frazier hit .202 in 104 games with the Royals in 2024.

The deal gives the Pirates a versatile option who can play a corner outfield spot or second. Pittsburgh could have an immediate opening in right field after opting not to retain Bryan De La Cruz.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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