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<\/p>\nPITTSBURGH \u2014 The Pittsburgh Pirates will make some big decisions this season, particularly regarding whether to offer certain players contracts.<\/p>\n
Catcher Endy Rodr\u00edguez is one of those Pirates players and is up for arbitration for the first time this offseason.<\/p>\n
Rodr\u00edguez put up his best season for the Pirates in 2026, but also had another devastating injury, limiting him to just 45 games.<\/p>\n
The Pirates could avoid arbitration with Rodr\u00edguez, or they could non-tender him, making him a free agent and finding another solution at catcher.<\/p>\n
Why the Pirates Will Re-Sign Rodr\u00edguez<\/p>\n
Rodr\u00edguez has had some poor luck when it comes to injuries, but the promise he has when he’s healthy is too hard for the Pirates to ignore.<\/p>\n
He hit .267\/.373\/.467 for an OPS of .840 in 2026, with 36 hits in 135 at-bats, six doubles, seven home runs, 20 RBI and 23 walks to 41 strikeouts.<\/p>\n
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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 | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
Rodr\u00edguez gave the Pirates a serious contributor on offense, as Henry Davis has continued his struggles and Joey Bart had a difficult start to 2026.<\/p>\n
The Pirates even traded Bart to the Atlanta Braves<\/a> on June 18, after he was cleared from his left foot infection, which gave Rodr\u00edguez a chance on May 12.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez had some big moments for the Pirates as well, with two hits for two RBI in the 7-2 win over the Colorado Rockies<\/a> at PNC Park on May 14, his MLB season debut, and his three-run home run in the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> at Citizens Bank Park, giving his team an 11-7 lead in the eventual win on June 29.<\/p>\n He is a switch-hitter, much better from the left side, but someone the Pirates can rely to produce offensively when he’s at the plate and play a big role in them ending their long postseason drought next season.<\/p>\n Why the Pirates Won’t Re-Sign Rodr\u00edguez<\/p>\n There’s no doubt Rodr\u00edguez is talented, but he’s almost never on the field to show it due to injuries over the past three seasons<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez underwent reconstructive surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and flexor tendon on Dec. 12, 2023, following an injury to his right elbow during winter ball, knocking him out for the 2024 season.<\/p>\n Apr 5, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (5) chases New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (not pictured) in a fielders choice run down during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n He returned in 2025, but then suffered a laceration to his right index finger after taking a curveball from Paul Skenes against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on April 14.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez missed 52 games, played three games in June, went back on the injured list, and underwent season-ending surgery on Aug. 13, an ulnar nerve transposition on his right elbow.<\/p>\n The Pirates catcher finally got his elbow problems under control in 2026, but his lower body betrayed him.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez missed 15 games in July with a left glute strain, returned for 10 games, then returned to the injured list and underwent season-ending surgery<\/a> on his left hip labrum, which will keep him from resuming baseball activities until March-May 2027.<\/p>\n He’s played just 63 games over the past three seasons, about 13%, making him someone the Pirates can’t rely on.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez needs to be on the field to contribute, but his injury problems seem like they’ll never end.<\/p>\n The Pirates also have another offensively productive catcher in Rafael Flores Jr., <\/a>who hit .264\/.331\/.527 for an OPS of .858, with 11 home runs in 47 games, who could replace Rodr\u00edguez.<\/p>\n What the Pirates Should Do With Rodr\u00edguez for 2027<\/p>\n The Pirates, even despite his injury history, should avoid arbitration with\/non-tendering Rodr\u00edguez and bring him back for next season.<\/p>\n MLB Trade Rumors projected a $1.2 million salary<\/a> for Rodr\u00edguez, only about $400,000 above what the MLB minimum was in 2026 ($780,000).<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Endy Rodr\u00edguez (13) hits a base hit in the eighth inning between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, July 31, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n That is a small sum for Rodr\u00edguez and one the Pirates should assume and hope that they can the best out of their much-injured catcher.<\/p>\n His offensive prowess and speed are both important at the catcher position and something that will benefit the Pirates if he can stay healthy.<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez won’t make his debut, lockout pending, until April at the earliest, depending on how he progresses during his rehab.<\/p>\n The Pirates also will have three catchers going out for the starting role in 2027 and need the depth as well, with no other catcher on the 40-man roster.<\/p>\n It’s not a bad group to have Davis, Flores and Rodr\u00edguez, all of whom bring different skillsets and attributes that should benefit Pittsburgh next season. <\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/01m42wxz6z3ja05q3ba8.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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