PIRATES

Back in the Pirates clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon, Endy Rodriguez stood in front of his locker and talked about how he hopes this is the last time he has to work his way back up to the major leagues. 

In order for that to become a reality, Rodriguez needs to do something no other major-league catcher has done consistently this season: Hit. That's all he did in his first major-league game in nearly a year, collecting two hits, including a two-run, third-inning single, in the Pirates' 7-2 victory over the Rockies that secured a series win here today at PNC Park. 

"He was ready from the first pitch," Jared Triolo told me. "He's able to square up pretty much every part of the zone and he's got a good swing right now. Definitely happy to have him back." 

In addition to his two-run single that gave the Pirates a five-run cushion in the third, Rodriguez began his day with a leadoff double in the second, one in which he sent out to the warning track in right field. It was a smooth swing that kickstarted a 2-for-3 effort that also included a fifth-inning walk. 

"Hitting the ball where nobody is," Rodriguez said, "that's the best feeling that we have in this sport."

It's only one game, but the Pirates could certainly use the type of offensive production Rodriguez put forth here today. Entering this one, the catcher tandem of Henry Davis and Joey Bart hadn't produced much at the plate, compiling a collective .196/.277/.308 slash line with a .584 OPS and four home runs in 43 games. Of those four homers, three have come in the month of May. 

Now, it's not like Rodriguez was setting the world on fire with Class AAA Indianapolis. After missing the entire 2024 season and being limited to 18 games in the big leagues last season, the oft-injured Rodriguez hit .221 with a .627 OPS and 16 RBIs in 34 minor-league games. The numbers won't jump out at you, but Rodriguez felt good about his approach and how he was feeling as he searched to find the best version of himself in the minors. 

One game into his big-league return and Rodriguez has supplied some hope. Maybe the Pirates could be seeing a guy who can finally bring a bit of a bat to the catcher's position and lengthen out the lineup even more while he's here. 

"If he can help us out in any way, that’s awesome," Ryan O'Hearn said. “I think anybody that has gone through adversity in this game, it only makes you better. It makes you better, or you aren’t around anymore. Credit to Endy. I don’t know the extent of the injuries that he’s battled, I heard he had some troubles with that the last few years. It’s great to have him here. He brings great energy, obviously he can swing it, and that’s awesome. Great to have him here.”