Alika Williams - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Clears waivers Williams cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 25-year-old infielder was booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster Monday to make room for Tim Mayza, but Williams went unclaimed off waivers and will officially remain in the organization. He slashed .311/.384/.396 with 13 RBI across 186 plate appearances in Triple-A last season, but he owns just a .529 OPS over his major-league career.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Booted from 40-man roster The Pirates designated Williams for assignment Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Tim Mayza, whose signing was officially announced Monday. Williams, who turns 26 in March, has managed just a .202/.257/.271 batting line with zero home runs over 208 plate appearances at the major-league level.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to minors The Pirates optioned Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Impact He's the roster casualty as the Pirates clear a spot for Nick Yorke, whose contract was selected. Williams is a career .202/.257/.271 hitter over parts of two seasons at the major-league level and he hadn't seen any game action for the Pirates in a week.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by Pirates The Pirates recalled Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Impact The move corresponds with Andrew McCutchen being placed on the 10-day injured list due to a knee injury. Williams has appeared in 25 games for the Pirates this season with a slash line of .210/.246/.290 with three RBI across 69 plate appearances. He's had more success in the minors this season with a batting average of .298 with 13 RBI and a .769 OPS across 162 plate appearances. Williams will likely serve mostly as an infield depth piece behind Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oneil Cruz and Ke'Bryan Hayes.

AUGUST 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Pirates optioned Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact With Isiah Kiner-Falefa (knee) returning from the injured list, Williams will be pushed back to the minor leagues. He appeared in two games during his brief stint in the majors and was hit by a pitch to drive in a run during his lone plate appearance.

AUGUST 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in majors The Pirates recalled Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Impact The 25-year-old will take the roster spot of Nick Gonzales, who was placed on the injured list Sunday with a groin injury. Williams has a .210/.234/.290 slash line in 23 big-league games this season but could see some action at second base with Gonzalez expected to be out well beyond the 10-day minimum.

JULY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

'Every day' approach produces positive results early on for Pirates utilityman Alika Williams NEW YORK — On one of the most memorable days of his young big league career, Alika Williams was relieved to learn he wasn’t the only one a.....

APRIL 17, 2024 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pirates are 5-0 for first time since 1983 after beating the Nationals Michael A. Taylor, a former member of the Nationals, had three hits, and Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, Alika Williams and Henry Davis de...

APRIL 2, 2024 • PENNLIVE.COM

Optioned to Triple-A The Pirates optioned Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Impact Williams went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts the last time he appeared in Pittsburgh's starting lineup Saturday at Cincinnati and owns a rough .198/.270/.248 batting line over 112 major-league plate appearances this year. Nick Gonzales will fill his roster spot leading into the final week of the 2023 campaign.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup again Williams is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Williams has now started just two of the last six games and four of the previous 10 contests. Liover Peguero is at shortstop Thursday and appears to have usurped Williams as the preferred option at the position for the Pirates.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Wednesday Williams is absent from the lineup Wednesday versus the Nationals.

Impact Liover Peguero will start at shortstop and bat seventh as Jared Triolo handles second base and hits ninth. Williams, 24, has slashed just .217/.294/.272 through his first 103 major-league plate appearances this season with the Pirates.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Williams is 3-for-16 with five strikeouts over his past eight contests and will hit the bench Sunday for the second consecutive game. Liover Peguero will receive another start at shortstop while Ji Hwan Bae mans the keystone.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Saturday against Atlanta, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Williams will get a breather Saturday after going 2-for-5 with three strikeouts across his last two games. Liover Peguero will slide to shortstop while Williams is out, allowing Jared Triolo to start at second base and bat eighth.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Williams seems to have faded into a part-time role of late, as he'll take a seat for the fourth time in seven games. With Williams on the bench, the Pirates will roll with Liover Peguero and Vinny Capra as their starters in the middle infield.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact The Pirates seem to have fallen into a pattern of rotating between Williams and Liover Peguero at shortstop over the past several days. Friday will mark Peguero's turn to start at short while Ji Hwan Bae starts at second base.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Tuesday Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Tuesday against the Royals.

Impact After an 0-for-4 performance during Monday's series opener, Williams will take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Liover Peguero will get the nod at shortstop and bat seventh.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Retreats to bench Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Williams will take a seat after he started each of the Pirates' last seven games at shortstop while going 5-for-20 with two doubles, two walks, two runs and two RBI. Liover Peguero will spell him at shortstop in the series finale, but Williams appears to be the Pirates' preferred option at the position since Ji Hwan Bae returned from the injured list to take over as the Bucs' primary second baseman.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates score five runs in the seventh-inning to cut the deficit against the Cubs, 8-6

AUGUST 27, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Gets Saturday off Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Saturday against the Twins, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact After collecting a base hit in each of his last two games, Williams will take a seat Saturday against Sonny Gray and the Twins. Liover Peguero will take over at shortstop and bat eighth.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday Williams is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

Impact Williams had some big hits at the beginning of August, but the 24-year-old is slashing just .191/.269/.234 through his first 52 major-league plate appearances. Liover Peguero will start at shortstop for the Pirates on Tuesday as Jared Triolo covers second base.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'He's a shortstop': Pirates manager Derek Shelton taking notice of Alika Williams' defensive prowess Alika Williams had to take the perfect angle to a backhand, make a split-second exchange and fire a one-hopper on the bag — from a jump thro...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Sitting Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Williams appears to have settled in as the Pirates' primary shortstop after starting at the position in each of the last five games while going 7-for-15 with two doubles, three walks and two runs. However, the rookie will be getting a breather for Sunday's series finale while Liover Peguero shifts over from the keystone to replace the resting Williams at shortstop.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting look at shortstop Williams went 2-for-3 with a double Tuesday against the Tigers.

Impact Williams has started four of the last five games at shortstop, pairing up with Liover Peguero to make up the Pirates' middle infield. That leaves Nick Gonzales as the odd-man out for the time being, though Pittsburgh has shuffled playing time at the positions regularly this season. Williams is regarded as a big-league player primarily for his defense, and he has three hits through the first 12 at-bats of his big-league career.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Williams will take a seat for the series finale after he started at shortstop in each of the past three games while going 1-for-9 with an RBI. Though Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero will draw starts at the two middle-infield spots Sunday and appear to be the Pirates' preferred options at the positions for the time being, neither player has produced well enough yet to run away with an everyday role. As such, look for Williams to stay involved and occasionally poach starts from one of the two players while he's up with the big club.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially promoted The Pirates selected Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact With Tucupita Marcano (knee) landing on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Williams will be called upon to add depth to the Pirates' infield unit. Williams has been impressive during his time in Triple-A, slashing .305/.384/.531 across 148 plate appearances, though he likely won't receive many starts while with the big-league club.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Pirates score five runs in the seventh-inning to cut the deficit against the Cubs, 8-6