The Pittsburgh Pirates roster took another hit Wednesday, as catcher Endy Rodriguez headed to the 10-day injured list with a left glute strain.
Manager Don Kelly announced Rodriguez’s status before Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park. The move is retroactive to July 6.
In a corresponding move, catcher Rafael Flores, the club’s No. 8 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Rodriguez’s injury follows shortstop Konnor Griffin, who was announced Tuesday to have a finger injury that’ll sideline him for at least six weeks, first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) and outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand), both of whom have been out for multiple weeks.
The 26-year-old Rodriguez was removed late during Sunday’s game at the Washington Nationals.
Initially, the prognosis on Rodriguez did not seem to warrant a stint on the injured list, but that changed over the last 24 hours.
“Something that we’re going to need to manage for a little bit here,” Kelly said. “Just precaution yesterday, and continued to act up. Just felt like it was a good opportunity to completely try to knock it out.”
Rodriguez, splitting time behind home plate with Henry Davis, had been producing offensively since being promoted from Triple-A in mid-May.
Over 35 games, he is slashing .260/.388/.470 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Rodriguez had 21 walks compared to 29 strikeouts.
Flores, 25, joins the Pirates for the second time this season after a brief recall in early June.
At Triple-A, he has slashed .228/.362/.342 with four homers and 38 RBIs through 65 contests.
Defensively, Flores has split time at catcher (45 starts) and first base (17).