ENDY RODRÍGUEZ NEWS

Rehab games on tap Pirates GM Ben Cherington said Sunday that Rodriguez (elbow) will report to Double-A Altoona on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Rodriguez has progressed well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery in December, and he'll be able to see game action in the minors after previously being fully ruled out for 2024. The 24-year-old is expected to see most of his playing time at first base and designated hitter, but he'll also see some time behind the plate. Rodriguez still isn't expected to see action with the Pirates before the end of the campaign, but he's setting up to enter the offseason in a strong position heading into 2025.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Could play in MiLB games this year Pirates GM Ben Cherington said Sunday "there's a chance" Rodiguez (elbow) plays in minor-league games this season, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact The 24-year-old won't see the field for the Pirates this season as he makes his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in December, but seeing action in minor-league games would be an encouraging development heading into 2025. Rodriguez will be eased back into things behind the plate and will instead see his initial work at first base and designated hitter in order to help him get more at-bats.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting from both sides of plate Rodriguez (elbow) has resumed hitting off a tee from the right side of the plate, MLB.com reports.

Impact Rodriguez resumed swinging from the left side of the plate in early July, so this marks another step forward in his recovery. He was originally ruled out for the entire 2024 season, though it's now possible that he will serve as the designated hitter in minor-league games late in the campaign.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting from both sides of plate Rodriguez (elbow) has resumed hitting off a tee from the right side of the plate, MLB.com reports.

Impact Rodriguez resumed swinging from the left side of the plate in early July, so this marks another step forward in his recovery. He was originally ruled out for the entire 2024 season, though it's now possible that he will serve as the designated hitter in minor-league games late in the campaign.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting live BP Rodriguez (elbow) has taken live BP from the left side, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Rodriguez underwent elbow surgery in December and is slated to miss the entirety of the 2024 season. He slashed .220/.284/.328 as a rookie last season.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates adding catching depth by signing two-time All-Star: AP source Pittsburgh is searching for depth at catcher with Endy Rodriguez ruled out for 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in December.

FEBRUARY 12 • PENNLIVE.COM

Analysis: Unpacking what Endy Rodriguez's injury could mean for Pirates' catching situation With Endy Rodriguez out for the 2024 season, how does that change the Pirates’ plans at catcher? Let’s take a look.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Analysis: Pirates would be wise to reconsider — and simplify — their catching desires in 2024 Pittsburgh would be wise to reconsider — and simplify — their catching desires | Insider Jason Mackey analyzes the team’s position

OCTOBER 19, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Gets breather Thursday Rodriguez is out of the lineup Thursday against the Phillies.

Impact Jason Delay will catch and bat ninth for the visiting Pirates. Rodriguez started behind the plate in the first two games of the three-game series and went 0-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez improvement a crucial piece of Pirates' success in 2024 Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez have been through a lot this season. Here’s how they’re handling that and what awaits in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Receives Sunday off Rodriguez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Rodriguez started the past three games and will receive a breather for Sunday's series finale. Jason Delay will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In midst of cold stretch Rodriguez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Friday against the Reds.

Impact Rodriguez popped a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, the third long ball of his career. He's struggled considerably across his last 10 starts, managing only a .167 batting average with three RBI and four runs scored. Positively, he's struck out at only a 20 percent clip in that span, so he could turn things around prior to the close of the regular season.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench versus lefty Rodriguez is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Cubs.

Impact Jason Delay will start behind the plate and bat ninth as the Pirates take on ace left-hander Justin Steele. The switch-hitting Rodriguez has gone 7-for-47 (.149) with zero extra-base hits this year against southpaws.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Receives Sunday off Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Rodriguez started the first two games of the series versus New York, and he'll take a seat for the finale after going 1-for-5 with an RBI and two walks. Jason Delay will step in behind the plate and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Rodriguez started each of the previous three games behind the plate, so he'll be off for Thursday's afternoon contest. Jason Delay will do the catching for Mitch Keller.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Receives breather Sunday Rodriguez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettereports.

Impact Rodriguez went 1-for-9 with an RBI and a run over the first two games of the series in Atlanta, and he'll take a seat for the finale. Jason Delay will step in behind the plate and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Wednesday Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Brewers, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact It's an afternoon game following Tuesday night's loss to the Brew Crew, so Rodriguez will get a breather. Jason Delay will do the catching for opener Colin Selby.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits bench Sunday Rodriguez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact He'll get a breather in the series finale after he started at either catcher or designated hitter in each of the past five games while going 4-for-20 with a double, a walk and four runs. Jason Delay will step in for Rodriguez behind the dish Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Sunday Rodriguez is absent from the lineup Sunday against the Cubs.

Impact Jason Delay will start at catcher and bat ninth. Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Pirates' loss to Chicago on Saturday and is slashing just .235/.306/.378 through his first 33 major-league games.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt versus the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact The Pirates have now gone with Jason Delay at catcher for two of the last three games, although Rodriguez did appear as a pinch-hitter in the first of those contests he didn't start. Rodriguez also caught all 10 frames of Thursday's extra-innings loss to the Cubs, so he'll begin this one on the bench.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

While defensive development remains, Endy Rodriguez's arm talent popping behind the plate The ever-smiling Endy Rodriguez thoroughly enjoys all the nuances of being a catcher, something he’s happy to articulate quite clearly. “Cal...

AUGUST 24, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Not in Wednesday's lineup Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cardinals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact The two teams are playing a day game after a night game, so Rodriguez will take a seat after catching in Tuesday's win over St. Louis. Jason Delay will be behind the plate and will form a battery with starting pitcher Luis Ortiz.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches base four times in win Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Cardinals.

Impact Rodriguez was on the basepaths all night, collecting three singles and drawing a walk in Pittsburgh's blowout victory. In 29 games since earning the promotion from Triple-A on July 17, the rookie catcher has posted a slash line of .267/.337/.430 with two home runs, eight RBI and 13 runs scored across 95 plate appearances. Rodriguez has showcased an impressive average exit velocity of 90.4 mph and an above-average walk rate of 9.5 percent. However, his 27.4 percent strikeout rate may impact his overall productivity.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Rodriguez isn't in the Pirates' lineup Saturday against the Twins, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact After going 3-for-4 in the series opener Friday, Rodriguez will get a breather Saturday. Jason Delay will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Tuesday Rodriguez is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Mets.

Impact Jason Delay will start at catcher and bat ninth with left-hander David Peterson readying to take the bump for New York. The switch-hitting Rodriguez has batted .200 with a .494 OPS in 17 plate appearances against southpaws. He carries a .771 OPS in 62 plate appearances against righties.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE