The Pirates optioned Brannigan to Double-A Altoona on Friday.
Brannigan was on the major-league roster for just one day and did not play in Thursday's win over the Mariners. The 25-year-old has slashed .235/.333/.522 with eight homers in 31 contests during his time with Altoona in 2026.
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Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Joins Pirates' roster
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Double-A Altoona on Thursday.
He'll grab the roster spot vacated by the injured Spencer Horwitz (hamstring). Brannigan got a late start to the season after fracturing his nose during spring training, and he's hit .235/.333/.522 with eight homers in 31 contests at Altoona since returning. The 25-year-old is likely set for a reserve role, and he'll be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.
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Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Struggling since activation
Rotowire
Brannigan (nose) has gone 3-for-19 (.158 average) with a 1:13 BB:K in five games for Double-A Altoona since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Shelved to begin the season after fracturing his nose in his lone Grapefruit League game Feb. 22, Brannigan was cleared to begin a rehab assignment April 3 and went 6-for-21 with a pair of solo home runs in six games between stops at Single-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro. He struck out at a 43.5 percent clip during his rehab assignment, and making consistent contact has remained an issue for the 25-year-old since he reported back to Altoona. Brannigan was added to the Pirates' 40-man roster over the winter, but he doesn't appear likely to get a look with the big club anytime soon.
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Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Brannigan (nose) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Brannigan has been out of action since suffering a fractured nose after being hit in the face by a bad hop in his Grapefruit League debut back on Feb. 22. The injury isn't considered significant, but it's an unfortunate setback after the 24-year-old infielder missed the final three months of the 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. The Pirates haven't revealed if Brannigan will be ready for game action by the time spring training concludes, so he could open the season on Indianapolis' 7-day injured list.
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Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Exits after being struck by ball
Rotowire
Brannigan (face) was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game versus Philadelphia after being hit by a batted ball, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Brannigan started the split-squad game at third base but was replaced in the second inning after being hit in the face by a groundball, per Anthony Murphy of DKPittsburghSports.com. He subsequently underwent examination and treatment by local and team medical staffs. Jesus Castillo entered the game for Brannigan.
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Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Sidelined at Double-A
Rotowire
Double-A Altoona placed Brannigan on its 7-day injured list June 14 due to an unspecified injury.
The 24-year-old shortstop slashed .225/.329/.358 with five home runs and nine stolen bases over 237 plate appearances for Altoona this season before landing on the shelf.
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Pirates' Jack Brannigan: Taking hot bat to AFL
Rotowire
Brannigan will play for the Salt River Rafters this year in the Arizona Fall League.
Brannigan went on a tear to close the regular season, slashing .299/.382/.605 with 12 home runs and seven steals in 38 games after getting promoted from Single-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro. He played 47 games at third base, 27 games at shortstop and 11 games at second base this year and will turn 23 years old during spring training. Given his age and 33.5 percent strikeout rate at High-A, there's reason to be skeptical of him hitting enough in the upper levels of the minors to profile as a big-league regular.
