Pirates' Paul Skenes doesn't mince words on manager's firing: 'Someone's gotta be held accountable'

Major League Baseball saw its archetypal manager firing of the play this week erstwhile the Pittsburgh Pirates axed Derek Shelton aft a 12-26 start.

It's been a unsmooth spell for the Pirates since their little postseason agelong a decennary ago. But with young endowment successful Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Ke'Bryan Hayes and others, they person failed to unrecorded up to expectations.

Skenes admitted helium "wasn't shocked" by the move.

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

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

But Skenes said a managerial alteration won't bash overmuch due to the fact that it's yet up to the players.

"Just however it goes. I don't cognize if it fixes the basal of the issue. We conscionable request to play better," helium added.

"Derek worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a batch implicit five-plus years. His household became a large portion of the Pirates family, and we volition miss that," Pirates wide manager Ben Cherington said successful a statement. "He's an incredibly smart, funny and driven shot leader. I judge helium was the close idiosyncratic for the occupation erstwhile helium was hired. I besides judge that a alteration is present necessary. I privation Derek and his household each the champion successful their adjacent chapter."

Pirates seat manager Don Kelly was named Shelton’s replacement.

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

"Derek is simply a bully antheral who did a batch for the Pirates and Pittsburgh, but it was clip for a change," Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting said. "The archetypal 4th of the play has been frustrating and achy for each of us. We person to bash 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 with a consciousness of urgency and instrumentality the steps indispensable to hole this present to get backmost connected way arsenic a squad and organization."

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton stands successful the dugout during a crippled against the 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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