Pirates Roster Moves: Key Piece of David Bednar Trade Selected, Peguero Optioned
The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected the contract of catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores, they key piece of the three-player return in the trade that sent closing pitcher David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline.
Flores played in 36 games with Triple-A Indianapolis after joining the organization and slashed .281/.363/.459 with four doubles, one triple, six home runs and 28 stolen bases.
In 366 minor-league games across four levels, the 24-year-old owns a .275/.361/.454 batting line with 74 doubles, 53 home runs and 203 RBI.
Flores, who originally signed with the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent out of Rio Hondo College in 2022, has played in 195 games at catcher and 114 games at first base in his professional career. While with the Pirates, he’s appeared in 21 games behind the plate, seven games at first base and eight games at designated hitter.
Flores, who is considered the Pirates’ eighth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline, will wear uniform No. 43.
To make room for him on the active roster, the Pirates optioned infielder Liover Peguero to Triple-A Indianapolis. Peguero has played in 33 games with the Pirates in 2025 and carries a .200/.273/.363 batting line with four home runs, eight RBI and four steals.
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