Rodríguez returns to game action behind the plate with Double-A

PITTSBURGH -- Endy Rodríguez is about to be the happiest man in Altoona, Pa. After months of rehabbing from his offseason elbow surgery, the Pirates’ young catcher will be with the club’s Double-A affiliate this week to play in real games with the Curve.

And yes, he’ll be behind the plate.

“I think being out all year makes me love the game a little bit more,” Rodríguez said on the field at PNC Park Monday before the Pirates took on the Marlins. “I’ve been watching and miss the game. Want to help these guys win, for sure.”

When Rodríguez went under the knife in December after sustaining a winter ball injury while swinging, it was announced that he would not play in the Majors this season, and that it was unclear if he would be able to play at any level this year. Fortunately for him and the club, his rehab proceeded without a major setback, and he packed on extra muscle after being able to focus on his physique rather than just playing ball for a year.

After a months-long progression that went from swinging from just the right side of the plate to switch hitting again to playing only first base, getting behind the plate in a game will be a huge step in his rehab -- a test to see if that right arm is in as good shape as it feels.

“It feels really good,” Rodríguez said. “Right now it feels like [Jared] Jones throwing.”

He’s still not ready for the Majors, but the plan is to play with the Curve for their last week of games and then head up to Triple-A Indianapolis to close out the year, according to Rodríguez.

“He can go hit off the Trajekt all day long and that's great, and you're seeing pitches and you're seeing different, but stepping on the field, stepping between the white lines, it's a difference maker,” manager Derek Shelton said. “That's why him working so hard to be able to get these reps in this year is vital for us going into next year.”

It also lets Rodríguez get back into a higher level of game action, something that he’s been missing for months. He’s made a couple trips from Brandenton, Fla. to Pittsburgh to be with the team, but it was just for checkups with the medical team. It still meant a lot to him just to be around his teammates.

“It made me feel a little closer every day,” Rodríguez said. “When I come by the first time here, I see the boys and watching what they are doing makes me prepare a little better for this year.”

Now, he gets to return to game action at the position he loves.

“[I missed catching] more than hitting,” Rodríguez said. “I want to catch … I want to sit down there and see if my arm is really good right now.”

Rodríguez will definitely be in the Pirates’ 2025 plans, but it may not just be as a catcher, though. Joey Bart has enjoyed a breakout campaign in his first season with the Pirates. Henry Davis has struggled in the Majors this year, but he posted terrific Minor League numbers and it’s still too soon to move on from him. Even Jason Delay is a more than capable catcher who would be a backup for plenty of teams throughout the league. You can never have enough starting pitching or catcher depth, but the Pirates seem to be in a pretty good spot going into next year.

Rodríguez bounced around the diamond when coming up through the Minor Leagues, but first base would be his likely second landing spot. Shelton reiterated the team views him as a catcher, but if needed elsewhere, Rodríguez is ready.

“I’m a player,” Rodríguez said. “God gave me this versatility to play everywhere and I’m going to use it. If I have to go to first, I’m going to first. I just want to play.”