Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton Amid Seven-Game Skid

The Pittsburgh Pirates have parted ways with manager Derek Shelton after a rough start to the season, marked by a seven-game losing streak and a slide to last place in the National League Central. General manager Ben Cherington announced the decision on Thursday, naming bench coach Don Kelly as Shelton’s replacement. Shelton, who was hired in 2019 as part of a franchise rebuild, leaves with a record of 306-440 over five-plus seasons. Despite his efforts, the team’s struggles, including a faltering offense and mounting losses, prompted leadership to make a change.

Pirates owner Bob Nutting stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that the team must take immediate steps to get back on track. Pittsburgh entered the season with hopes of contending behind reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, but poor offensive production has stalled momentum. Now, with Kelly stepping in as interim manager, the Pirates look to turn things around amid a challenging schedule featuring matchups against Atlanta, the Mets, and Philadelphia. The franchise’s playoff drought, which dates back to 2015, remains a pressing issue as they seek a path forward.