The Pittsburgh Pirates Just TRIGGERED more Catching Competition with a Healthy ENDY RODRIGUEZ
Pittsburgh Pirates’ catching depth faces a shakeup as Endy Rodriguez makes a determined return from two major elbow surgeries. Can he reclaim a roster spot amid fierce competition from Henry Davis, Joey Bart, and prospect Rafael Flores? Gary Morgan breaks down Rodriguez’s resilience, the challenges of injury comebacks, and the shifting expectations as the Pirates prioritize experienced depth and youthful upside behind the plate.
Isaac Matson emerges as a bullpen x-factor, transforming last season’s 2.45 ERA and dominant fastball into a potential late-inning weapon with a new changeup. Gary Morgan spotlights Matson’s rise, the influence of pitching coach Bill Murphy, and how the Pirates’ bullpen mix—with Gregory Soto, Dennis Santana, and Justin Lawrence—could stack up for 2026. Plus, fans’ pressing AMA questions about postseason potential, roster construction, and the impact of development strategies get answered in trademark honest fashion.
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Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates News, Pirates Rumors, Endy Rodriguez, Isaac Matson, Henry Davis, Joey Bart, Rafael Flores, Gregory Soto, Dennis Santana, Justin Lawrence, Kyle Nicholas, Carmen Mlodzinski, Jared Jones, Mason Montgomery, Bailey Falter, Paul Skenes, Locked On Pirates, MLB Rumors, MLB News, Pirates bullpen, Pirates catching depth, Pirates prospects, baseball analysis
11 comments
Team the bob, sell
Totally agree with you on the bullpen. I think we have a ton of talent there that we need to see how it plays out rather than take a flyer on another FA bullpen arm. I'd only be okay adding one if it's by trade. I keep wondering if there's something to be done trading either Suwinski or Yorke to the White Sox for one of their relief arms. I wonder if a package of Suwinski and Yorke would get us someone like Eisert from their bullpen.
I'd like to see Endy get some ABs as 3B.
If there isn't anyone added via trade.
This could be a very good season if Ben can bring in RH power bat like Suarez, Ozuna, Castellanos and Quintana or Anderson. with spring training getting close we pirate fans have something to be excited about for the first time in 9 it 10 years. The winter of Ben needs two more quality additions to become a grand slam. Beat em Bucs!!!
Great Pirates situation; They sign Eugenio Suarez, Henry Davis has a great spring hitting, Endy Rodriguez stays healthy and hits well in spring training…….
All of the power hitters sound good on the surface…but they bring a lot of strikeouts as well. The Bucs need some high OBP bats to extend the innings.
They dont have a MLB catcher , need hitting–
Flores. is penciled in to Altoona,knowing catchers are needed close by suddenly.
Hey Gary, just started listening to this cast, running late…I just read article on line, Rum Bunter, ‘Spencer H.. Pirates derailed by coaching changes’ last season..if you haven’t read this I’d be interested in your opinion. Normally I pay Zero attention to RB but the title hooked me and some of what I read sounded kinda legit. Post reply, ..common sense opinion?
What the heck is going on with Endy??? Are they just keeping him in the mix to see how Spring Training pans out? I’d have thought he had the lowest odds of making the team behind the plate. Your assessment of Davis, Bart, Flores kinda confirms it.
I read Horwitz' comments on Reynolds and Cruz offensive struggles last year are the result of adjusting to new coaching voices and coaching transition. I am certain those same comments can be shared about Davis. Davis was picked 1/1 based on His bat. He was called up early because of His bat. And today, many fans want to see Him moved because of His bat.
I propose Davis ends the year with at least 15 HR's and a slash line of at least .250/.325/.475.
And Mattson is a stud!