The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that catcher Endy Rodríguez will be placed on the 10‑day injured list after he was diagnosed with a left glute strain. The move, which was reported on Tuesday, clears a spot on the active roster for a fresh arm from the minors.
Rodríguez has been a steady presence for the Pirates this season, posting a .260 batting average with a .388 on‑base percentage and a .470 slugging percentage across 35 games. His six doubles, five home runs and 16 RBIs illustrate a player who has begun to find his rhythm at the plate.
He is not the only key contributor sidelined; the club also has infielder Konnor Griffin, shortstop Oneil Cruz and utility man Spencer Horwitz on the injured list, each dealing with their own set of ailments.
Roster Ripple Effects
To fill the vacancy, the Pirates have called up catcher Rafael Flores Jr. from Triple‑A Indianapolis. Flores brings a different skill set, having compiled a .228 average, a .362 OBP and a .342 slugging percentage over 65 games, including four homers and 38 RBIs.
The transaction comes on the heels of a trade that sent veteran catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves, leaving Rodríguez and Flores as the only healthy catchers on the 40‑man roster. The club’s front office says the moves are designed to maintain defensive stability while they evaluate longer‑term options.
Looking Ahead
Manager Derek Shelton indicated that the team will monitor Rodríguez’s recovery closely and hopes to have him back before the next stretch of games. In the meantime, Flores will get the opportunity to prove he can handle the everyday duties behind the plate.
The Pirates’ next series will be a test of how the new catching tandem performs against National League competition, and the outcomes could influence future roster decisions as the season progresses.