Pirates Officially Add Three Rookies to Big League Roster

PITTSBURGH – In a clear sign that their youth movement is in full force, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a bevy of roster moves Monday that included adding three rookies to the big-league club.

The Pirates selected the contract of right-hander Quinn Priester from Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled catcher Endy Rodriguez and infielder Liover Peguero from the same club.

To make room on the roster, reliever Cody Bolton, catcher Jason Delay and outfielder Josh Palacios were optioned to Indianapolis.

Indianapolis outfielder Travis Swaggerty was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot for Priester. Swaggerty was the Pirates’ first-round draft pick in 2018 but has played in just five major-league games.

Priester and Rodriguez will make their major-league debuts Monday night when they form the battery against the Cleveland Guardians in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park. Peguero, who played in one major-league last year, will be the shortstop.

Priester and Rodriguez will be the first pitcher and catcher to make their big-league debuts in the same game for the Pirates since Cookie Cuccurullo and Hank Camelli on Oct. 3, 1943 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Forbes Field.

The last all-debut battery in the major leagues was the Toronto Blue Jays’ Sean Reid-Foley and Danny Jansen in 2018 versus the Royals in Kansas City.

Priester, 22, joined the Pirates on Sunday as part of their taxi squad. He was 7-3 with a 4.72 ERA in 18 starts this season for Indianapolis.

Rodriguez, 23, hit .268/.356/.415 with six home runs and four stole bases in 67 games.

Peguero, 22, slashed .259/.333/.556 with two homers and two steals in seven games with Indianapolis after being promoted from Double-A Altoona earlier in the month. In 69 games with Altoona, Peguero batted .260/.333/.453 with 11 homers and 19 steals in 69 games.

Bolton has made seven relief appearances for the Pirates this season and compiled a 9.90 ERA. Delay hit .260/.328/.375 with one homer in 50 games and Palacios batted .229/.264/.343 with one homer and two steals in 42 games.