# Pirates Push Back Paul Skenes’ Next Start

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-16 05:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
The Pittsburgh Pirates have delayed Paul Skenes' next scheduled start, sparking widespread media coverage across MLB and national outlets.

## Intelligence Brief
According to the reports, the team has pushed back Paul Skenes' next start from Sunday to Wednesday, granting the pitcher three extra days of rest. Reporting from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that Skenes himself stated he does not necessarily disagree with the decision. Media reports emphasize various angles surrounding the decision, including physical and performance-related factors. The New York Post highlights velocity concerns as a reason behind the delayed start, while CBS Sports connects the adjustment to an effort to give him a few more days to recover while the team's playoff hopes fade.


Yahoo Sports and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette detail remarks from general manager Ben Cherington, who addressed the situation by lauding an excellent year for Skenes despite what coverage describes as the worst stretch of the ace's career. Yahoo Sports opinion pieces further question whether Skenes remains an ace and characterize the general manager's statements as being in denial. Context provided across the articles frames this decision within a broader evaluation of the team's roster and management strategy. MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette note that general manager Ben Cherington expanded on the decision-making process behind moving Skenes' start back, while also discussing the timeline for Oneil Cruz and other internal roster matters.


Looking ahead, ongoing coverage will likely track Skenes' physical condition and performance when he takes the mound against the Tigers on Wednesday. Outlets have not yet specified any further long-term alterations to the pitching rotation beyond this upcoming start. Observers and analysts will continue to monitor whether the extra rest resolves the velocity concerns and performance struggles highlighted during this current stretch of the season, alongside updates regarding the broader team strategy and player timelines mentioned by team management.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| MLB.com | Ben Cherington expands on the Paul Skenes decision, Oneil Cruz’s timeline and more | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQVFJoWGY2Vzh2RDhJMzFNSVN0dWZ0aDFMRno0bV9RdUU2SzVONng1ek9TbXp6UEdiT3JCUURVQTB0Z3VFX184ajQxSEliTlgxTnNpSm81N0tvS1A3RXJtNm9ZdXhUUklsVGxaZ1ZYOEUtUVdwWmYtcEo1MmZ4U2JNR3F0Z3Y4RnhITkIyYkxyOE55TUgwY0R4bDB4SjJqc0FQSk5UMA?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Pirates news: GM fully in denial with 'excellent' Paul Skenes declaration | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxPV3g3ZWlTM0Y2cFFwUmNsZ19ZZWZ6dmJaampoZjhwbVh2RGtOQXNZbm9NQzVaWDVVbkdQUlpvVHcxdnFNWUdjZDlRQzdUTlJJUXlsTnJqdjBqNC0xTUc3OWRsdXJDYnFheWc3SDFqVUJYY0pIQ1V0cTB5bWdnbzUwN2E2VQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Paul Skenes’ next start has been delayed by the Pittsburgh Pirates | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxNX25pNEoxZ2I3dEtXTkprRHNPVGwydnlJTnJBcmxVcGhtRGx5Q1AyakFwWUJZQjN0SU1LYXlEcVd6NFE3TWlEN3pPQUJWejNMOUczbG9XVFRaRWVWcHVMcTlHOGNXamJwcE05WUJ4bzRmek9RZHp3cnBmVWVvVDRJbllJLVRLQQ?oc=5) |
| NESN | Red Sox Catch Massive Break Before Pirates Series Finale | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxNb1lOUlpJN2RDM0h4Q0dnWVV6WFEtNkMzYVZiRlJNRHpOOC1TRlNZM2VOWmhKZkpMS2F5bmRyZm9PaGF5RVFfalpaRndEbXFVcTN0SVFnSk1fclpCdnN6bEJCcFNzc2FraGJaNzc5LVdqQzh3Ylo0YTlKdE9xSmRWd0puWU1YTDVleHByQmtUem5KV3gzZEFjeFh4bEt0OUg3MF8wd1lNQ2RaNmd5ZW05WQ?oc=5) |
| ESPN | Paul Skenes' start moved back as Pirates rest struggling ace | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxPTVM0STNlaXJlREJGc1hESE5SWUZvaEwxdVJDMDVhS1JFSk1zMEdQTnplS291VDBTdjNXdVhOWjI1Q0piaXl2YzhtSHdRN1BsdHRISmp0d1lYXzdHRHY0dFZQUUdOeFJoMktjajdJZk9zQVhHelNJckNKUEx6eDF6SGIwamJPLUVKN1A4aURFRjE0Tkx6RndyaWJBYlRqQzlIX05J?oc=5) |
| USA Today | When does Paul Skenes pitch next? Pirates push back ace's next start | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixgFBVV95cUxPRHoyT1BJYVdNaGg1dzVPVmNMZm5DN3JrWmdPeUxKTWNxV0J3MUhJMzBDT3NtTl8xS0ZnX0djRW5IcllaUEFuLThiekJhekZVS201anU5bEFGQmVFMC02Z1pCMTc5RDA1TE5UQXhsanAtS3drTFZnYl9ScXFIb3NBdXkwS1VQU0xMV19NSmdQMW5HbnpwR05jSFkwYnluck5oWHhYc0k0bXYyUzE2bGl0UUZKbWdSb0tZd0xvVnZyNVJRc0o0b3c?oc=5) |
| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Pirates push Paul Skenes' scheduled start back from Sunday to Wednesday. 'I don't necessarily disagree,' he says | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirgFBVV95cUxPVTlSS082bThMdjd4U1lBcm1yRlJTVnVRa2RsTFczOEp6ZWFnV3JuTjlvdXpkMS1hTEVFSXhGOUliZXVlV1prbzA5Rk16ZHkxMGk0VXFOeno2dm11MkxJNWJ1VEplQ2k1dzVlQUxTdm5xSGxINTFHQVRkSDVfaGtPbnFQclpKSlpMS1NfR0dMMTRwMEk4N2ZvWjE2NmV2MldkS28wY0hkQUFDZktuQ1E?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Is Paul Skenes still an ace? Ranking the Pirates rotation by the stats that count | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAFBVV95cUxQNVFDQ1BUQVFGbmJVVGNSRm9YV0lGUFhHN1MtVTNmT1dlN0cwWTdxb2h3NGVuVTI1cFpVLXFUejBEejNzTDRIbmNtTm1sdFY4ODJya3ZnQjc5X08wbFMxLXpqQ1lqVUpqR2o1cDNUY283Y2x0eDdSd3YtRHg2VmRYTldsVkU?oc=5) |
| MLB.com | Skenes fine with extra rest as Bucs push his next start back to Wednesday | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxPRVNhVEg0X2EzUHFVYVh5aEJtX2Z5bmU1SjdFZ2YyQzRydkZ1SEMwZzVmWURZOG4yNEhjUzdyLW9hWklFbWwxeGVBQTk1Z3U0R2tUUndKcXhVbzJtdTI3eVp2MEEyRkZvWEFlVDdwZmZuT1dQdFFFeF9NOGhzQ1RKU2tQVXp5aUE?oc=5) |
| MLB Trade Rumors | Pirates Push Back Paul Skenes’ Next Start | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxNaHhPQ1ZMVngxa0NTVDhXbDdRYjB3YWo1MUNXSmZrQXA5YlpXSFY5MHBnY2kyNVI1MEdDUnNXdFRHX29JOFMtOXpGMXMxVFFvYTBGQkxMTEVKclZjM3BPUjA4R2ViS3d3TW1qNFBzaEk4S2xfdzQ3US05UzBLc21SR3lDYjFhalhuVThuNw?oc=5) |
| The Detroit News | Pirates give Paul Skenes extra rest; he'll now pitch in Tigers series | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2wFBVV95cUxQZkRJMVI2TWNsQnZVRkVaM2hWeWVRbEdSWjFHX2pyZF9uVS1rUHJyUjNPUExleTljN3dOcTAyZFlLaWFwbE1wV1QxZk44eFNBOThRblNNa21HbXJmZGhXS0RxQi12LVpkLVk0RGFYRHRTbDNxLXh3aWt6Y1NySWxORjNuclBMX0RQamdDMERqMi1ZVFRkMzB3dEhpX1QzUXJxem5ZWS1LZFdpWGRBMHZWSGNHWUdXemQxLWhOY0FPczhhM0gtdndtaEc3UEJoOUNaV0VkdTNQSnVMLWs?oc=5) |
| MLB.com | Ben Cherington expands on the Paul Skenes decision, Oneil Cruz’s timeline and more | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQVFJoWGY2Vzh2RDhJMzFNSVN0dWZ0aDFMRno0bV9RdUU2SzVONng1ek9TbXp6UEdiT3JCUURVQTB0Z3VFX184ajQxSEliTlgxTnNpSm81N0tvS1A3RXJtNm9ZdXhUUklsVGxaZ1ZYOEUtUVdwWmYtcEo1MmZ4U2JNR3F0Z3Y4RnhITkIyYkxyOE55TUgwY0R4bDB4SjJqc0FQSk5UMNIBsAFBVV95cUxPcVpPdmg3cy1EaS1Qa0o2X1l6d1ItT3BCX243VWdQaFZWX3U4am9rclBVLUhqd05HRTlGdlNIYmtrS2RwZFI5ZHNIeDdXV0FEaHpBREVYam9mVXE3Ym5FeWptcUI2UUo5YWhIbDcyTXZBOF9TZEkzTjZtZ0lXNGpBeE9NYTVQakVOWEtoM3MxUHhwWnJIRUZ3Y2p5cTBfMTJXRGxURW52YWRfenRGRTJ) |
| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Ben Cherington lauds Paul Skenes’ ‘excellent year’ amid the worst stretch of the ace’s career | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxPd1hhb0ptRnpNRkVnOUhYOHBDWUtYY1c2dFdjc1hIYzVZX0k5Ti1QSlM5NDRCUUNjM0dxaVdpSjZhc0VZYXRQaUNTYjd1Y2ZaM2NVZHEtYXRycGtzWkdqUHZneVUtemZETjFLekZfZlBRTEhFekFYZDNpVkZrbTBHek0yQnVEQlQ5WkF2ZDFYeXZJSmdmRVQwSlBxaFFla243TFFhcEhIXzNyY0RMTDNEaTItTXJPa1JKZ2VuMHVUb0kybmpNTUxTTA?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Cherington on Skenes: ‘This Has Been an Excellent Year for Him’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxONFF3YzFVNWdhcVgySGtKSk5Xd3ZDbGJQa05TbXVGSkpNQ0cyYmhESTRVY2oxNktSMzFab2hzZ0xhWHkyQXlSem1oMmpTeEZySjJyU1ZCRW9LQXlVcVYtZE1QV2U0bHg0R05teXhoLUpOR3JkOG9iUEJNVUtJNGdObGYyTFNiSm8?oc=5) |
| NBC Sports | Pirates push Paul Skenes’ start back three days | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxQRWxmbnVHanIyU29uMnBWREtSb0o0WmxudmczVzRDb3VVOWFaMG1scnE0SngwNFY1RVRwYW5uYTRhUmNJMjFQQXZiV293UzFETlRZWmFMaUJER2VtbkZFeklYOTQtWmNBQ25zLVFtYUFkb1FKVXN0TE1xUFRGZVQwVlZCUlFjWEVzRnNYLWhUVjktb3FxNHBvRS1LeU1QZExNWTV0M1BTZnJVMjJOUUE5SFpB?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-16/pirates-push-back-paul-skenes-next-start*