The Pittsburgh Pirates have benched Isiah Kiner-Falefa just four at-bats shy of a $250,000 performance bonus, a move reminiscent of past instances involving other players. Kiner-Falefa, who started the season with the Toronto Blue Jays, opted out of the final game against the New York Yankees to allow a younger player to take his place.

This decision raises eyebrows, especially as Kiner-Falefa struggled after joining the Pirates, batting only .240 in 215 plate appearances. The Pirates conclude their season with a game against the Yankees, having finished with a record of 76-85.

The Pittsburgh Pirates edged out the Milwaukee Brewers in a low-scoring contest, winning 2-1 thanks to solid pitching from Luis Ortiz and key hits from players like Liover Peguero. Jake Bauers provided Milwaukee's lone offensive highlight with a home run, but it was not enough to overcome the Pirates’ strong defensive effort.

Aroldis Chapman secured the win with a strikeout in the ninth, setting a franchise record for most strikeouts by a left-handed relief pitcher in a single season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made roster changes as they conclude the regular season, calling up infielder Liover Peguero and outfielder Josh Palacios from Triple-A.

Veterans Michael A. Taylor and Rowdy Tellez were designated for assignment, a move that reflects the team's need to prepare for the future despite Tellez being just short of a performance bonus.

With this season marking their sixth consecutive losing stint, the Pirates face challenges as they plan for a minimal payroll in 2024.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released Rowdy Tellez, who was just four plate appearances shy of earning a $200,000 bonus in his contract. The decision comes with only six games left in the season and has raised questions about the timing.

Despite being an above-average hitter recently, Tellez's performance did not warrant the wait for the bonus criteria. Tellez's season stats included 13 home runs and 56 RBIs across 131 games.

The Pirates are under scrutiny for their financial decisions and have not had a payroll above $90 million since 2017, missing the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons.