Endy Rodriguez starts what he hopes will be a short rehab assignment

Given how much time he’s missed over the past few seasons, pretty much the last place Endy Rodríguez wants to be is on a rehab assignment.

But the Pirates catcher remains upbeat, especially considering the injury that knocked him out of the lineup has subsided.

“I feel pretty good,” Rodríguez said after going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI Friday during a 6-3 loss for Triple-A Indianapolis to Lehigh Valley. “I’m happy that I feel healthy.”

Rodríguez, 26, last played in a Major League game on July 5 due to a left glute strain. He’s been eligible to come off the 10-day injured list since July 16.

While enjoying a breakout offensive season, Rodríguez believes his injury started when he adjusted his batting stance and swing to have his hips closed more than he did previously.

In 35 games with the Pirates, Rodríguez hit .260 with six doubles, five home runs, 16 RBIs, 21 walks and an .858 OPS. This follows a stretch with the Indians where Rodríguez was hitting .295 over 20 Minor League games with five doubles, nine runs scored, seven RBIs and a .793 OPS.

“That’s the only thing different that I’ve been doing the past two months,” Rodríguez said. “But because I’ve been hitting the ball pretty well, I said, ‘We’re going to keep doing that.’ We have to figure out how I’m going to be in the field.”

Rodríguez caught seven innings at Victory Field and reported no issues. He hopes to catch a full nine -- likely Sunday -- before rejoining the Pirates next week.

“I’m excited,” Rodríguez said. “I’ve been out. It’s not where I want to be, missing time. I just want to get back and keep it rolling.”

Rodríguez smoked an 0-2 sinker, located down and in, at 109.9 mph for a double in his first at-bat of the evening.

In his second, he grounded out to shortstop but drove in a run. The third featured a 272-foot flyout to left on another two-strike sinker down.

“Kept my approach simple,” Rodríguez said. “See it and hit it.”

The Pirates won’t rush Rodríguez, but they certainly have a need behind the plate whenever he’s ready. With Rafael Flores Jr. on the seven-day concussion list, they added Shawn Ross to the active and 40-man rosters Friday.

Henry Davis will catch Paul Skenes on Saturday, and it seems Ross would be on track to catch for Braxton Ashcraft on Sunday. After that, assuming his health cooperates, Rodríguez should be able to pick up where he left off.

Among National League catchers in June, Rodríguez ranked tied for first in doubles (5), second in both on-base percentage (.387) and OPS (.998), tied for fourth in average (.296) and fifth in RBI (13).

“Just the consistency to be working on stuff that really gives me a good result,” Rodríguez said of what led to his success. “Gonna give all the credit to the hitting coaches.”

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