Rodriguez’s Return To Pirates Worthy of Applause

Having Endy Rodriguez back in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform is exciting.

You have to be happy that Endy is back in Pittsburgh. Over the past two seasons, Endy has overcome a couple of physical challenges. He missed the entire 2024 season with right elbow surgery; UCL and flexor tendon/Tommy John surgery. That took place in December 2023.

Next, last season, Rodriguez played in the Pirates–Philadelphia Phillies game on June 6 at PNC Park. Experiencing right elbow inflammation, the following day, he was placed on the injured list. Later that summer, Rodriguez underwent yet another surgery on the same elbow that he had Tommy John repair.

Coming into spring training, Rodriguez appeared fully healed from the previous August's surgery. When the 2026 Opening Day roster was announced, it was Joey Bart and Henry Davis going north with the Pirates, and Rodriguez was dispatched to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Prior to being recalled from the Indianapolis Indians on May 12, Rodriguez was hitting .221 in 34 games. After two years of recovering from two major surgeries on his throwing arm, the switch-hitting catcher completed his comeback. At the time of his being recalled from Indianapolis, Rodriguez was on the team bus preparing to leave for a road trip for a week’s worth of games in Louisville, Kentucky, against the Cincinnati Reds’ Triple-A affiliate.

As talented as Davis and Bart have proven to be behind the plate in handling the Pirates’ pitching staff, both catchers have been slow to hit for average. Prior to Thursday’s game with the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, Davis is hitting .136. This season, prior to Bart going on the injured list with a left foot infection, his average is .259.

Pirates manager Don Kelly’s lineup needs a punch from the catcher’s bat. In eight games with the Pirates since joining the club for a six-game homestand with the Colorado Rockies and Phillies, Rodriguez boasts a .316 batting average. In his 19 at-bats, he has collected six hits and has been walked 10 times.

When Rodriguez is playing, at least since he rejoined the Pirates, the team is getting more offense from the catcher’s position than when Davis gets the start. It’s just a small sample of what Rodriguez could contribute to Bart’s absence, but if he continues to get on base, Kelly will have difficult decisions to make when Bart is deemed ready to return.

While speaking earlier this month with MLB.com, Kelly’s assessment of adding Rodriguez to the Pirates roster was encouraging.

“Not sure on a timeline with Joey, but with Endy, we talked about the energy and positivity,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Plus, he’s a switch-hitter who can provide good at-bats and good defense.

“The opportunity is always there, whether it’s here or in Triple-A. Endy has done a really good job finding a way to compete.”

So, while the Indians are on the road for a six-game visit to the St. Paul Saints in Minnesota next week, Pittsburgh welcomes the Twins this weekend to PNC Park for three games. Then, Rodriguez and his teammates hit the road for a series, first in Houston, then followed by games in Atlanta with the Braves. All indications are that Rodriguez will make the trip, and depending on his play and whether Bart is medically cleared to return, this is the tough decision Kelly and Pirates general manager Ben Cherington will face.

Roriguez’s spirits must be high, and his confidence with every swing of the bat even higher. He’s made it back. Now, it’s time for him to continue to impress.