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The Pirates optioned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
The 25-year-old struggled this spring, going 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts and six walks in 14 games. Flores made his MLB debut with seven appearances for Pittsburgh last year and could rejoin the big club in 2026 if depth at first base or catcher is needed.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Struggling in spring
Rotowire
Flores has gone 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts during Grapefruit League games.
Flores is vying for a roster spot as a second catcher alongside Henry Davis, with Joey Bart being his primary competition. Neither has made much of an impression, as Bart has struck out 13 times across 31 at-bats with only five hits. Flores made his major-league debut to close 2025 but had only 17 plate appearances.
Pirates' Rafael Flores: Reaches base twice in debut
Rotowire
Flores went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk Wednesday against the Cubs.
Flores was acquired by the Pirates as the primary return for David Bednar at the trade deadline and made his debut Wednesday. He filled in at first base with a lefty on the mound, and he hit a double to straightaway center field in the third inning for his first big-league hit. Flores will likely continue to find his way into the lineup as he auditions for a potential roster spot in 2026.
Pirates' Rafael Flores: Making MLB debut at first base
Rotowire
Flores will start at first base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.
Flores was summoned from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and will make his major-league debut Wednesday. The Pirates started Henry Davis at catcher Tuesday and are going with Joey Bart behind the plate Wednesday, so the team may not intend to give Flores extended run behind the plate down the stretch. He will, however, get his feet wet at first base, filling in for a resting Spencer Horwitz.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Summoned to big leagues
Rotowire
The Pirates selected Flores' contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Acquired from the Yankees on July 31, Flores has slashed .280/.354/.470 with 22 home runs and six stolen bases over 133 games between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. The 24-year-old has primarily been used at catcher but also has plenty of experience playing first base. With Henry Davis and Joey Bart both having disappointed this season, the Pirates could give Flores a look behind the plate down the stretch.
Flores was traded from the Yankees to the Pirates on Thursday along with two other prospects for David Bednar, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
This trade increases Flores' dynasty value, as he was unlikely to break through as a regular, catcher, first baseman or designated hitter in the Bronx but could have much better luck in Pittsburgh. A 24-year-old righty hitter and thrower, Flores was recently promoted to Triple-A and is slashing .279/.351/./475 with 16 home runs, a 9.8 percent walk rate and a 25.5 percent strikeout rate in 97 games, primarily at Double-A. He has seen the most action at catcher, but most public scouting reports suggest he would be a fringe-average or below-average defender behind the dish.
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Yankees' Rafael Flores: Moves up to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Yankees promoted Flores from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
Flores has shined with Somerset this season, slashing .287/.346/.496 with 15 homers, 56 RBI and six stolen bases over 370 plate appearances. The 24-year-old's 25.4 percent strikeout rate isn't great, but he's managed to bat a healthy .283 in the minors since the start of 2024. Flores' eventual path to the majors could be as a right-handed bat to complement the left-handed Austin Wells at catcher.
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