Endy Rodriguez injury has rumors swirling about Pirates' potential replacement

The hits just keep on coming for the 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates – and not the good kind. Pittsburgh has lost yet another player to an injury in this still very young season, with catcher and first baseman Endy Rodriguez likely headed to the 10-day injured list after sustaining a laceration on his right index finger that required multiple stitches during Monday's win over the Washington Nationals.

The Pirates are already carrying three catchers on their active roster – they recalled Henry Davis over the weekend while starter Joey Bart is day-to-day with back soreness – but they may need to add another to the 40-man in the event that Bart isn't well enough to return within the next couple of days.

The primary option at Triple-A would be Abrahan Gutierrez, who has yet to play a game in the Majors.

Rodriguez's injury also hurts the Pirates at first base, where he has made nine starts during the first two weeks of the season. If they do end up adding another catcher in a corresponding move, Enmanuel Valdez will likely have to shift to first base while Adam Frazier takes over at second (and backs up at first).

Endy Rodriguez injury has rumors swirling about Pirates' potential replacement

Pittsburgh's 40-man roster is already at capacity, so adding yet another catcher (or a non-roster infielder, for that matter) would require some additional corresponding moves. However, the options available on the 40-man roster are slim.

Billy Cook, on optional assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis, would be the most obvious choice given his ability to play first base; but he's off to a tepid .143/.244/200 start through 11 games. There's also Nick Yorke, who was reinstated from the 7-day injured list with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday after dealing with right shoulder soreness. He has gotten off to a better start offensively, slashing .250/.308/.500 with three doubles and a home run through six games, but he can't catch or play first base.

More roster moves are almost certainly on the horizon for the Pirates, whose depth is getting tested early this season. Even if Bart is available to return at catcher, the already-precarious situation at first base is looking more dire than ever.

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