{"id":631095,"date":"2026-03-19T02:39:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T02:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/631095\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T02:39:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T02:39:21","slug":"endy-rodriguezs-hot-spring-sets-up-dilemma-for-pirates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/631095\/","title":{"rendered":"Endy Rodr\u00edguez’s Hot Spring Sets Up Dilemma for Pirates"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Pirates are entering this season with Henry Davis<\/a> as their primary backstop. He has made some serious defensive improvements and, hopefully, can take a step forward offensively in 2026. Davis will reportedly get 60% of the time behind the plate. However, that leaves a large chunk of games to go to the Pirates\u2019 many other catchers. However, Endy Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>\u2019s spring training is making that roster decision more complicated.<\/p>\n

The last two seasons have not gone Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s way. In 2024, he underwent Tommy John surgery before the season began, sidelining him for the entire campaign. Rodr\u00edguez looked to put things back on track in 2025. However, he appeared in only 18 MLB games. Rodr\u00edguez suffered a finger laceration in April, then underwent yet another elbow procedure in May. The latter injury once again put him out of commission<\/a> for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n

\"\"Sep 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Patrick Wisdom (16) is safe at home plate as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (25) makes a late tag during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
\nEndy Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s Hot Start to Spring Training<\/p>\n

So far this spring, Rodr\u00edguez has eight hits. Two of his hits have been home runs, and he also has four walks with just eight strikeouts over 30 spring training plate appearances. Rodr\u00edguez is mopping the floor with the rest of the Pirates\u2019 catchers. Joey Bart<\/a>, Rafael Flores<\/a> Jr., and Davis all have combined for six hits. All three have an OPS below .500, with Bart even below .300.<\/p>\n

Endy Rodriguez \u2013 Pittsburgh Pirates (2)* pic.twitter.com\/URvQvJ1j6S<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

How Does Rodr\u00edguez Affect the Pirates\u2019 Depth Chart?<\/p>\n

The question now becomes: who pairs with Henry Davis behind the plate? Rodr\u00edguez was originally behind both Bart and Flores Jr. for the secondary catcher role, but it would be hard to justify breaking camp with him not on the roster over either fellow backstop. Flores Jr. has options left, so the Pirates can send him to Triple-A to open the year. Bart, on the other hand, has no options remaining.<\/p>\n

The Pirates have attempted to shop Joey Bart<\/a> this past winter. The former second overall pick has been a solid hitter for the Bucs. In 614 plate appearances, Bart owns a .257\/.347\/.398 slash line, .331 wOBA, and 110 wRC+. Bart\u2019s 27% K% is below average, but he does have a solid 10.1% walk rate. He has also gone yard 17 times in a Pirates uniform. Defensively, however, Bart hasn\u2019t graded out well. He has -10 defensive runs saved and -4.3 framing runs over 1203.2 innings behind the dish. Bart may have made improvements in his framing last year, but was still slightly below league average.<\/p>\n

However, sending Flores Jr. to Triple-A also raises a set of questions of its own. For one, the Pirates gave up a lot to get Flores Jr. He was the headliner of the David Bednar<\/a> swap. Sending him down would not be a vote of confidence in this trade. The other question is whether Rodr\u00edguez is prepared to platoon with Spencer Horwitz<\/a> at first base. Flores\u2019 bat is his calling card, so the Pirates can hide his below-average catcher defense at first base, and he is a right-handed hitter.<\/p>\n

Sending Rodr\u00edguez to Triple-A right now would be a tough choice. He\u2019s been one of the best hitters in spring training for the Pirates, and the rest of their catchers haven\u2019t looked all that great. Obviously, it is a Spring Training sample size, but what other justification do the Pirates have to send him down? The regular season is just around the corner, so the Bucs will have to decide on Rodr\u00edguez very soon.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t