Don Kelly, previously a bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been appointed as the new manager following the dismissal of Derek Shelton. This change comes after a tough start to the season, with the Pirates currently holding a 12-26 record and experiencing a seven-game losing streak. Kelly, who began his coaching career with the Houston Astros, is stepping into a managerial role for the first time after a successful coaching tenure. Pirates' owner Bob Nutting and GM Ben Cherrington expressed their confidence in Kelly's ability to reinvigorate the team, emphasizing his dedication to the organization and the city.

As a former player with the Pirates, Kelly's connection to the team is strong, having played nine seasons in the majors, including his debut in Pittsburgh in 2007. His promotion comes with high expectations as he attempts to lead the Pirates out of their current struggle and back to competitive form.