Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Looks good in season debut
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Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI on Thursday against the Rockies.
Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, but his start behind the plate Thursday was his season debut. He immediately made a strong impression, doubling in his first at-bat before driving in two with a single one frame later. Rodriguez is likely to remain behind Henry Davis on the depth chart for the time being, but Rodriguez could force his way into the lineup if he continues to deliver at the dish.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Pirates recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
In a corresponding move, the Pirates placed Joey Bart on the 10-day injured list with a left foot infection. Rodriguez has slashed .221/.326/.301 with one home run across 113 at-bats for Triple-A Indianapolis on the season. Now up with the Pirates, he will presumably serve as the backup to Henry Davis with Bart down.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Ready to go for spring training
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Rodriguez (elbow) took live batting practice against Mitch Keller on Wednesday and appears to be fully healthy for spring training, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Rodriguez closed 2025 on the shelf after undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery on his right elbow Aug. 12, but he was able to resume a throwing program over the winter. Since he had also been limited to only a handful of rehab games during the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on the same elbow, Rodriguez's long-term future as a catcher is in some doubt, but the Pirates don't appear ready to move him off the position just yet. Henry Davis and Joey Bart remain the frontrunners to open 2026 as the Pirates' top two catchers, but with a strong spring at the plate, Rodriguez could still push his way onto the Opening Day roster as a No. 3 backstop and a backup option at first base.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: May move off catcher
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Rodriguez's (elbow) may need to play primarily in the outfield or at second base to have the best chance to make the big-league club, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.
Rodriguez was viewed as Pittsburgh's catcher of the future as recently as the 2023 season, but he's since run into significant elbow injuries that have required two surgeries to repair. That history could be enough to convince the Pirates to move him to a new position, and Gorman suggests that both Joey Bart and Henry Davis will enter spring training as the favorites to work behind the plate. Rodriguez has played at first base in the majors, while also playing in the outfield and at second base during the 2022 minor-league season.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Taking part in light activity
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Rodriguez (elbow) has been conducting his rehab at the Pirates' facility in Florida and has been able to take part in low-level strengthening and range-of-motion exercises, MLB.com reports.
Though Rodriguez isn't shut down from activity entirely since landing on the injured list June 7 after experiencing inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow, he has yet to be cleared for baseball-specific workouts and thus appears to be a long way off from being activated. Rodriguez's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, has recommended that the Pirates take a slow approach with the 25-year-old, who is less than two years removed from his elbow operation.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Lands on IL
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The Pirates placed Rodriguez (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Saturday.
Rodriguez injured his right elbow throwing a ball to second base while warming up for the second inning of Friday's game against the Phillies. Imaging revealed inflammation in his right elbow, and he will undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and an approximate timeline for his return to the majors, per Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com. With Rodriguez and Joey Bart (concussion) both on the injured list, the Pirates promoted Brett Sullivan from Triple-A Indianapolis to serve as the backup catcher behind Henry Davis.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Leaves with trainer
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Rodriguez was removed from Friday's game against the Phillies due to right elbow discomfort, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez seemingly tweaked his elbow after throwing a ball to second base while warming up for the second inning. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Pirates will take a look at him and should provide some details in the near future.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Back from injured list
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The Pirates reinstated Rodriguez (finger) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
The 25-year-old played in eight games during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, and he'll rejoin the active roster after Joey Bart suffered a concussion Tuesday in Arizona. Rodriguez made five starts behind the plate and 10 at first base prior to the finger injury, but he's likely to see more of his playing time at catcher while Bart is out.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Set to begin rehab assignment
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Rodriguez (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Rodriguez has been shelved for the past month with a laceration on his right index finger but has been cleared to test himself in a game setting. The switch hitter shouldn't require too many at-bats in the minors before being activated from the 10-day injured list.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Sheds splint
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Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed, is playing catch and has resumed a modified swing, MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez has been sidelined with a laceration on his right index finger since April 15. His progress has been slower than anticipated, though he should still have the chance to return later in May.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Likely headed to IL
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Rodriguez (finger) needed stitches after exiting Monday's game against the Nationals and will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Rodriguez took a deflected pitch off a finger on his throwing hand during the first inning Monday, resulting in his departure. The Pirates announced after the matchup that Rodriguez required stitches, which will presumably necessitate a trip to the injured list. Joey Bart (back) is also nursing an injury, so this could open up opportunities for Henry Davis behind the dish.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Diagnosed with finger laceration
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Rodriguez departed Monday's game against Washington due to a right finger laceration, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Rodriguez was forced to exit the matchup in the first inning after James Wood was struck by a pitch and the ball deflected into Rodriguez. The 24-year-old can be considered day-to-day until more information comes to light.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Exits Monday's game
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Rodriguez was removed in the first inning of Monday's game against the Nationals due to a right finger injury, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The injury occurred when Paul Skenes hit James Wood on the foot with a pitch, which deflected and struck Rodriguez on his right index finger. Henry Davis has come in to serve behind home plate, and an update on Rodriguez's injury should come during or shortly after the conclusion of Monday's contest.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Getting Sunday off
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Rodriguez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Rodriguez will get a breather after he started each of the last three games -- two at catcher, and one at first base. Enmanuel Valdez will occupy first base Sunday, while Joey Bart settles back in behind the dish in the series finale.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Not in Pittsburgh lineup
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Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.
Rodriguez has garnered three starts at first base and one start at catcher in the early going, but he will begin Tuesday's tilt on the bench. Enmanuel Valdez will handle first base, and Joey Bart will do the catching for Pittsburgh.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Getting rest Saturday
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Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
Rodriguez has gone 0-for-6 with four strikeouts through the first two games of Pittsburgh's season. He'll get a chance to regroup Saturday while Jared Triolo starts at first base and bats seventh.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Fanned three times on Opening Day
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Rodriguez went 0-for-3 with one walk and three strikeouts during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Marlins.
Rodriguez got the start at first base Opening Day due to Spencer Horwitz (wrist) starting the season on the 10-day injured list. Rodriguez opened things up with a six-pitch walk in the third inning, but he proceeded to strike out in each of his next three plate appearances, the first two of which came on three pitches. The 24-year-old is serving as the backup catcher to Joey Bart but should also split time at first base with Jared Triolo until Horwitz is healthy.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Starts at first base in opener
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Rodriguez will start at first base and bat seventh in Thursday's opener against the Marlins.
Rodriguez is the backup catcher behind Joey Bart, but he will also see ample time at first base while Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is on the shelf. Jared Triolo -- who likely represents Rodriguez's primary competitor for playing time at first base -- will begin Thursday's game on the bench.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Likely wins roster spot
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Rodriguez appears to have won the backup catcher job for the Pirates, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
The Pirates optioned Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, setting up Rodriguez to back up Joey Bart to begin the season. Rodriguez missed all of the 2024 season due to a UCL injury, but he's maintained an impressive .321/.486/.571 line across 37 plate appearances in spring training. If he continues to swing the bat well, the Pirates are likely to find a way to get Rodriguez in the lineup more regularly given the lack of quality bats on the roster.
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Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Likely odd man out
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Rodriguez will likely begin the season with Triple-A Indianapolis because the Pirates want him to get everyday at-bats, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez is returning from a lost 2024 season caused by an elbow injury. He's performed well enough to secure a roster spot by hitting .381 with three extra-base hits across 21 at-bats in Grapefruit League games, but Joey Bart has earned the top spot on the depth chart after producing well last year. The Pirates have experimented with Rodriguez at different positions in the past, and he may need to regain that versatility or have Henry Davis struggle in order to find his way to the majors early in the campaign.
