The Pittsburgh Pirates have fired manager Derek Shelton following a disappointing 12-26 start to the 2025 MLB season, the team officially announced Thursday. Bench coach Don Kelly has been named as the team’s new manager moving forward.
Shelton had served as the Pirates' manager for six seasons, compiling a 306-440 record during his tenure. Under his leadership, Pittsburgh posted back-to-back 76-86 records in 2023 and 2024, but struggled in earlier years, including 101 losses in 2021 and 100 losses in 2022.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington expressed gratitude for Shelton’s contributions while acknowledging the need for a fresh direction.
“Derek worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a lot over five-plus years,” Cherington said in a team statement. “He’s an incredibly smart, curious and driven baseball leader… I believe he was the right person for the job when he was hired. I also believe that a change is now necessary.”
Team chairman Bob Nutting echoed the sentiment and emphasized the urgency to improve.
“The first quarter of the season has been frustrating and painful for all of us,” Nutting said. “There is a lot of baseball left to be played. We need to act with a sense of urgency and take the steps necessary to fix this now.”
The Pirates currently sit in last place in the National League Central and have the second-fewest wins in the NL. They’ve lost 10 of their last 11 games, including an ongoing seven-game losing streak.
New manager Don Kelly, a former MLB player and respected voice in the Pirates clubhouse, is being tasked with stabilizing a struggling squad.
“Donnie is as respected as any person in our clubhouse,” Nutting said. “He is a Pirate. He bleeds black and gold... He is the right person to manage our team and help get us back on track.”
The Pirates will look to snap their losing streak when they host the Atlanta Braves (17-19) at 6:40 p.m. ET on Friday at PNC Park.
