Perrotto: Endy Rodriguez Feeling Like a Baby as Spring Training Nears

So how is Endy Rodriguez’s right elbow?

“Like a baby,” the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher said.

Like a baby?

“Everything is correct,” Rodriguez said. “Recovery, everything has been good.”

That is good news for Rodriguez and the Pirates.

At the end of his rookie season in 2023, Rodriguez appeared ready to become the Pirates’ No. 1 catcher in 2024. However, Rodriguez injured his elbow while playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic and had Tommy John reconstructive surgery in November 2023. He missed almost all of last season.

So, Rodriguez is anxious for spring training to begin. The first workout is scheduled for Wednesday at Pirate City but the 24-year-old is already in Bradenton getting ready for the season.
Spring training will determine the Pirates’ course of action with Rodriguez for 2025.

Rodriguez could be the primary catcher when the season begins. He could also serve as the backup to Joey Bart, who had a fine season last year after being acquired from the San Francisco Giants in a waiver trade in April. Or Rodriguez could be optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to continue easing his way back to action after appearing in 10 games late last season.

Bart seemingly has the inside track on the starting job following a season in which he hit .265/.337/.462 with 13 home runs in 80 games. Two other catchers, Henry Davis and Jason Delay, are also on the 40-man roster and have major-league experience.

However, the perpetually upbeat Rodriguez isn’t stressing over what might happen.

“If I’m honest, I don’t pay attention to that,” Rodriguez said. “I go to camp to show what I have. Whatever they decide is their job.”

Rodriguez was considered the Pirates’ top prospect two years ago. He won back-to-back league MVP honors at the Class A level in the Florida State League and South Atlantic League.

In his first taste of the major leagues in 2023, Rodriguez was unimpressive as he hit .220/.284/.328 with three homers in 57 games. Nevertheless, he showed the Pirates enough that they felt he could get the bulk of the catching duties last year.

Then Rodriguez’s elbow gave out.

“The first week (after surgery). That was the only moment,” Rodriguez said when asked if he had any down moments after being injured. “I sat with my fiancé. We started talking about what I have to do to get better, what I need to do to go to another level. That was the goal. Mentally, I got ready for this year. I was good the whole time.”

Rodriguez played 10 games combined with Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona last season, hitting .256/.293/.385 with one home run. The Pirates then shut him down as a precaution, but Rodriguez says there are no restrictions on him this season.

“It was just soreness,” Rodriguez said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself because I wanted to come back. Don’t think about that. Just get prepared and ready for the next year. When I stopped playing, I said, ‘I’m ready. I’m gonna give my 100% every day.’ Being out the whole year and doing the baseball stuff 100% made me a little bit excited. I am ready to get started.”

Kind of like a newborn.