Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets injury report (March 26, 2026): Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more

The Pittsburgh Pirates begin their 2026 season on the road against the New York Mets at Citi Field on March 26. Opening Day always draws attention, and this matchup stands out because of the pitching and the changes both teams made during the offseason.

There is added focus on this game because Paul Skenes and Freddy Peralta are starting. Both teams adjusted their rosters over the winter and expect to compete, so this opener also offers an early look at how they might perform this season.

Pitching Duel Sets the Tone for Opening Day

First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m. ET, with the game airing on NBC and Peacock. The focus is on the starting pitchers. Skenes takes the mound after a strong 2025 season in which he posted a 1.97 ERA and won the NL Cy Young Award. Peralta starts for the Mets after going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA last season.

The Mets enter as slight favorites at -120, and the total is set at 7 runs. With both starters capable of limiting offense, the game is expected to stay low scoring.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets Injury Report and Player Availability

Both teams are mostly available for Opening Day, though some pitchers remain out.

New York Mets

• 60-Day IL: Reed Garrett (elbow), Justin Hagenman (rib fracture, expected June), Tylor Megill (elbow), Dedniel Núñez (elbow)

• 15-Day IL: A.J. Minter (lat strain)

• Day-to-Day: Francisco Lindor (undisclosed, expected to play)

Mike Tauchman is out with knee soreness. Carson Benge is expected to take his place in the outfield.

Pittsburgh Pirates

• 60-Day IL: Jared Jones (right elbow/UCL sprain, expected late May or early June)

Chris Devenski is dealing with a concussion and has no set return date. Oddanier Mosqueda is recovering from a forearm issue and could be available around Opening Day as a non-roster option. The Pirates do not report any key injuries among position players.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets Key Players in the Lineups

The Mets lineup includes several established hitters. Juan Soto leads the group, with support from Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Luis Robert Jr. On the pitching side, Peralta is joined in the rotation by Kodai Senga, while Devin Williams handles late innings.

For the Pirates, Skenes leads the rotation, with Mitch Keller and younger pitchers like Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler also in the mix. Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, and Joey Bart are expected to lead the offense.

New York Mets Opening Day Roster

Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day Roster

Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets Head-to-Head Record and Recent Results

The New York Mets have the better record in this matchup. Since 1993, they have won 93 of 168 games. On average, New York scores 4.5 runs per game, while Pittsburgh scores 4.1.

This is the first meeting between the teams in 2026. The four-game series from March 26 to 29 opens their season schedule against each other. In 2025, the Mets averaged 4.7 runs per game, while the Pirates averaged 3.6. New York also had a higher team batting average at .249 compared to .231.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets Team Form and Statistical Outlook

Both teams start the season at 0-0, but last year’s numbers provide some context. The Mets allowed 4.4 runs per game, showing stability on the pitching side. The Pirates allowed 117 home runs, which was among the lower totals.

Skenes recorded 216 strikeouts last season, while Peralta held opponents to a .193 batting average. In spring training, the Pirates hit .231 as a team. The Mets focused more on pitching depth after their offseason moves.

The game is likely to depend on how the starting pitchers perform and whether either lineup can produce early runs.