Pittsburgh Pirates reshuffle catching corps
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a trade that sends catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves, a move that comes as Bart recovers from a left‑foot infection that has kept him sidelined for much of the season. With the injury limiting his availability, the club faced a decision between Bart, Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez, ultimately opting to move Bart and reshape the catching unit.
Enter Endy Rodríguez, who has posted a .267/.413/.467 batting line in 23 games and is being viewed as one of the top 100 prospects in baseball, according to internal scouting reports. The organization also retains Rafael Flores Jr., who is considered the top backup catcher on the roster.
Henry Davis, despite a modest .138/.242/.285 line in 47 appearances, remains valued for his defensive prowess, leading all of Major League Baseball with a 55% caught‑stealing rate, a statistic that underscores his impact behind the plate.
The trade also restores right‑hander Hunter Stratton to Pittsburgh, a familiar presence who previously posted a 3.75 ERA across 60 big‑league appearances and now adds depth to a bullpen that has been thin this season.
Financially, the deal clears salary‑cap space for the Pirates, giving the front office flexibility to pursue additional upgrades before the trade deadline and to invest in other areas of the roster.