'Like the first time': After myriad injuries, Endy Rodriguez relishing return to Pirates

Endy Rodriguez was on the Triple-A Indianapolis team bus to Louisville when the Pirates told him they were promoting him to Pittsburgh, recalled Tuesday to replace Joey Bart while his foot heals.

Though Rodriguez made his MLB debut during the 2023 season, those familiar jitters returned. Elbow injuries have cost Rodriguez a bunch of time. The news – although positive – caught him a little off-guard.

“I was nervous,” Rodriguez said. “It felt like the first time.”

The window for Rodriguez to make an impact might be small, but the 25-year-old switch-hitting catcher also has a clear goal in mind.

“Hopefully it’s the last time,” Rodriguez said. “You can’t imagine how excited I am to be here, around the guys and the energy that we have.”

Rodriguez is relentlessly positive, but that’s been tested over the past two years.

Rodriguez endured Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair in December 2023, then another procedure to fix his ulnar nerve last August. Over the past two seasons, Rodriguez has appeared in just 36 games (Minors and Majors combined).

But with the Pirates needing a catcher to replace Bart, Rodriguez experience, personality and how hard he’s worked to get back are a few of the things that him their choice.

“Not sure on timeline with Joey, but with Endy, we talked about the energy and positivity,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Plus, he’s switch-hitter who can provide good at-bats and good defense.

“The opportunity is always there, whether it’s here or in Triple-A. Endy has done a really good job finding a way to compete.”

With Henry Davis catching Mitch Keller Wednesday, Rodriguez will likely catch Carmen Mlodzinski on Thursday.

Rodriguez appeared in just 18 games in 2025, hitting .173 with a .496 OPS. He was more productive in 2023, hitting .220 with a .612 OPS in 2023.

That summer, Rodriguez represented the organization at the Futures Game prior to the MLB All-Star Game in Seattle, appropriate considering he was once the Pirates' Honus Wagner Minor League Player of the Year, as well.

Injuries have prevented Rodriguez from impacting the MLB club recently, but he's hoping to finally have that opportunity now.

After hitting .135 with two extra-base hits and five walks compared to 16 strikeouts in his first 14 games, Rodriguez has been much better over his past 20: .295 with five extra-base hits, 13 walks and 14 strikeouts.

“The past three weeks have been pretty good,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been hitting the ball pretty well.”

The Pirates need offense and defense from Rodriguez. Bart was trending up before he went on the IL. Davis adds value with his defense – always with Paul Skenes and usually either Keller or Bubba Chandler.

But if Rodriguez hits, maybe he can force the Pirates’ hand. For now, though, Rodriguez is simply thrilled to be back in Pittsburgh, healthy and embracing the opportunity.

“Tough decision between Endy and [Rafael Flores Jr.],” Kelly said. “Honestly just felt Endy was a little bit more prepared. He’s seen a lot of our guys more over the years, while the energy and positivity stand out, especially for a guy that has had a really tough two years when it comes to injury bug.”

More pregame notes

• Konnor Griffin bumped up to the No. 2 spot in the order against former Pirate Jose Quintana, who signed this offseason with the Rockies.

It's been standard Quintana so far: 3.90 ERA in six starts, a 1.33 WHIP and plenty of weak contact. Santana has given up an above-average rate of home runs (five in 30 innings), but other than that, Kelly said it looks about the same.

• Jared Jones may have caught some people off-guard Tuesday in Altoona, saying he expects to return as a starter. But it shouldn't be surprising.

That's how general manager Ben Cherington has framed his answers on Jones. It would also make sense to bring Jones back as a starter because he knows the routine and you can better control his innings.

The only variable might be whether the Pirates need to limit Jones' usage. But they don't need to worry about that now, nor would Jones just start riffing on something like that when asked whether he planned to rejoin the rotation.

“Long-term we see Jared Jones as a starter,” Kelly said. “As we continue to work through this, we're gonna put Jared and all of our pitchers in the best spot possible.

“He's in a really good spot. Throwing the ball really well and excited to get Jared back.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.