Endy Rodriguez is getting his opportunity.
With Spring Training coming to a close and Opening Day approaching, the Pirates are finalizing their roster, and many questions are starting to be answered. Although many roster changes occur throughout a 162-game season, decisions made at the beginning of the season can have a lasting impact, either for better or worse.
On Saturday, the Pirates made a series of cuts. With the club adding right fielder Tommy Pham and not giving up on Jack Suwinski, they had to designate for assignment (DFA) outfielder Joshua Palacios, who certainly had some great moments with the Pirates and would have been a valuable bench option. But there was no more room for another outfielder, and Palacios had no minor league options. One can assert that the Pirates will hope he clears waivers and can stay in Triple-A Indianapolis.
The move made room on the 40-man roster for RHP Hunter Stratton. Stratton signed a minor league deal after being DFA’d earlier this offseason and has worked back rather quickly from a gruesome knee injury last offseason.
Two of the Pirates’ primary position battles this spring were at first base and catcher, and they have made clear who they will roll with. Endy Rodriguez will be making the team to play both positions, as C Henry Davis, INF/OF Nick Yorke, and 1B Billy Cook were optioned to the minor leagues.
Davis, the former first overall pick, was 9-for-36 this spring with two home runs and five RBIs. Davis has consistently destroyed AAA pitching in the past, so the move serves to improve Davis’ defense behind the plate and potentially gain him experience at another position.
Cook was acquired from the Orioles at last year’s Trade Deadline and has shown promise in the minors, making a decent impression in his first big league call-up with the Bucs last September. However, he didn’t make a significant enough impression at the plate this spring to secure a spot on the team. The same can be said about Yorke, another deadline acquisition from the Red Sox for RHP Quinn Priester. Yorke, the #6 Pirates prospect, should be one of the first in line for a call-up if someone gets hurt or is struggling.
With the surprising news on Monday that 1B D.J. Stewart will not make the team, Rodriguez is expected to receive significant playing time at first base alongside Adam Frazier and Jared Triolo, while also serving as the backup catcher. He has the most experience at the position on the roster and will have the opportunity to bring a much-needed spark to the lineup.