Pirates acquire veteran catcher Bethancourt from Yankees
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The Pirates on Wednesday acquired catcher Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. Bethancourt, who was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis after being acquired, is expected to join Pittsburgh’s Major League taxi squad in Los Angeles this weekend.
Bethancourt was not on the Yankees' 40-man roster, which is why he could be traded after the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.
"I've heard great things about him," manager Don Kelly said after Pittsburgh's 4-3 walk-off win over the Tigers on Wednesday.
The acquisition of Bethancourt points to a possible larger injury for usual starting catcher Endy Rodriguez. Rodriguez was placed on the injured list on July 6 with a left glute strain and went back to the IL on Aug. 10 with left hip inflammation after playing 10 games.
Henry Davis and Rafael Flores Jr. have taken on the bulk of catching duties, but Pittsburgh lacked depth after designating Shawn Ross for assignment on July 27. He was scooped up by the Mets before clearing waivers. Davis exited Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch in the right wrist, but X-rays were negative.
The Pirates have plenty of catching depth options in the Minor Leagues who aren’t quite ready for promotion yet, with four catchers in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 ranking.
The 34-year-old Bethancourt (turns 35 on September 2) has hit a combined .270 with nine doubles, 14 home runs, 45 RBI, an .811 OPS and 35 runs scored in 67 Minor League games split between the Cubs and Yankees’ Triple-A teams this season.
The Panama native is a career .229 hitter with 35 home runs and 135 RBIs over 428 Major League games split between the Braves (2013-15), Padres (2016-17), A's (2022), Rays (2022-23), Marlins (2024) and Cubs (2024). He also appeared in three postseason games with Tampa Bay in 2022 (two games) and 2023 (one game).
Bethancourt was previously in the Pirates' organization in 2021, playing 92 games with Indianapolis and hitting .281 with14 home runs, 60 RBIs and an .807 OPS.