Rodr\u00edguez had missed almost all of the past two seasons<\/a>, with surgeries on his right elbow, but came back determined to show he can play and stay healthy too.<\/p>\n He has proven his worth offensively and then some, slashing .271\/.404\/.482 for an OPS of .886 in 31 games, with 23 hits in 85 at-bats, six doubles, four home runs, 15 RBI and 19 walks to 23 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Jun 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodr\u00edguez (13) watches his three run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n All four of his home runs have come in June, giving him a .559 slugging percentage and a .917 OPS.<\/p>\n The Pirates are now 13-9 in games that Rodr\u00edguez has started, compared to 30-33 in games started by other catchers. <\/p>\n “Yeah he’s been doing great,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said about Rodr\u00edguez after the win vs. the Phillies. “The at-bats that’s he had, from both sides of the plate. The way he’s been able to control at-bats, the power. He’s done a nice job behind the plate too. He’s a big reason for the success of the offense.”<\/p>\n Why Pirates Made Right Decision on Rodr\u00edguez<\/p>\n Bart was close to making his return to the Pirates, going on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, which would’ve sent Rodr\u00edguez back down to the minors.<\/p>\n The Pirates, instead, traded Bart to the Atlanta Braves<\/a> on June 18, getting right-handed relief pitcher Hunter Stratton in return.<\/p>\n This move showed the Pirates putting faith<\/a> into Rodr\u00edguez and also Henry Davis as their two main catchers going forward.<\/p>\n Davis has the defensive prowess, but struggles massively at the plate, slashing .149\/.244\/.312 for an OPS of .556 in 53 games.<\/p>\n Bart was the better hitter of the original partnership with Davis, but he also didn’t produce at the rate the Pirates expected, slashing .259\/.290\/.379 for an OPS of .669 before they traded him.<\/p>\n The Pirates now have a catcher that can produce offensively<\/a> and still call a good game and play some solid defense as well.<\/p>\n He’s also under team control for the next few years, unlike Bart, which gives the Pirates reason to invest time into him for the long-term.<\/p>\n If Rodr\u00edguez can continue producing like this, the Pirates will have another strong piece in a fantastic lineup this season, <\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kwbmmj7bcv79vnj6kr.jpg\" "\\"")
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