Pirates' Paul Skenes Doesn't Mince Words On Manager's Firing: 'someone's Gotta Be Held Accountable'

Major League Baseball saw its first head firing of nan play this week erstwhile nan Pittsburgh Pirates axed Derek Shelton aft a 12-26 start.

It's been a unsmooth spell for nan Pirates since their little postseason agelong a decade ago. But pinch young talent successful Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Ke'Bryan Hayes and others, they person grounded to unrecorded up to expectations.

Skenes admitted he "wasn't shocked" by nan move.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) surrenders nan shot to head Derek Shelton (right) arsenic he is removed from a crippled against nan Chicago Cubs during nan 5th inning astatine PNC Park.  (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)

"We're 12-26. Someone's gotta beryllium held accountable," he told reporters Friday. "Unfortunately, correct now, it's him."

But Skenes said a managerial alteration won't do overmuch because it's yet up to nan players.

"Just really it goes. I don't cognize if it fixes nan guidelines of nan issue. We conscionable request to play better," he added.

"Derek worked incredibly difficult and sacrificed a batch complete five-plus years. His family became a large portion of nan Pirates family, and we will miss that," Pirates wide head Ben Cherington said successful a statement. "He's an incredibly smart, funny and driven shot leader. I judge he was nan correct personification for nan occupation erstwhile he was hired. I besides judge that a alteration is now necessary. I wish Derek and his family each nan champion successful their adjacent chapter."

Pirates chair coach Don Kelly was named Shelton’s replacement.

Pittsburgh Pirates head Derek Shelton, left, talks pinch umpire Mike Estabrook betwixt innings of a crippled against nan San Diego Padres successful Pittsburgh May 3, 2025.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

"Derek is simply a bully man who did a batch for nan Pirates and Pittsburgh, but it was clip for a change," Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting said. "The first 4th of nan play has been frustrating and achy for each of us. We person to do better. I cognize that. Ben knows that. Our coaches cognize that. Our players cognize that.

"There is simply a batch of shot near to beryllium played. We request to enactment pinch a consciousness of urgency and return nan steps basal to hole this now to get backmost connected way arsenic a squad and organization."

Pittsburgh Pirates head Derek Shelton stands successful nan dugout during a crippled against nan San Diego Padres successful Pittsburgh May 2, 2025.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Pittsburgh was successful contention past summertime earlier finishing 76-86.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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