Endy Rodríguez returning to competition this week with Altoona

Can Endy return to form?

Endy Rodríguez was one of the most highly regarded catching prospects just a year ago, and had put together some good appearances in his rookie season with the Pirates in 2023. 2024 was supposed to be the year where he was to catch full-time, and build upon some of the success he had as a rookie, but an injury in winter-ball resulted in Rodriguez needing Tommy John surgery and missing the entirety of this season. Good news struck on Tuesday however, as it was reported to Endy will be returning to competition, seeing action in a rehab assignment with the Altoona Curve this week.

Being sidelined this entire year has been tough for Rodriguez, but now easing back into playing he seems excited for the challenge ahead, as well as thrilled to finally be returning to action.

“I think being out all year makes me love the game a little bit more,” Rodriguez said, “Because I’ve been watching and miss the game.”

Once the team’s Minor League Player of The Year in 2022, Rodriguez is one of the most polarizing prospects for the Pirates’ future. Originally signed as an international free-agent by the New York Mets, Pittsburgh traded for the multi-position athlete in January of 2021 where he was assigned to Bradenton. Since then he was regularly listed among the best prospects in the team’s system, as well as positionally, being one of the most athletic catchers in all of baseball.

The team has revealed they had several goals throughout the rehab process, with Derek Shelton emphasizing that they were looking for their big league catcher to bulk up for the challenges that come with playing a full Major League season.

“The challenge that we gave him was to get stronger and get bigger. If you’ve seen him, he looks really good,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “Just excited to watch him in game competition. His energy is different, and he needs to get back on the field.”

The team has also expressed that given his athleticism, they are likely going to have Rodriguez play in several different spots in the field. Obviously they want to see how his arm performs behind the plate, but they also want to get him some reps at first, second, and in the outfield, not wanting to limit where he can impact a game.

The current timeline for Endy is to start this week getting some reps in Altoona, before moving up to Indianapolis, possibly as next week.