Rodriguez injured the same elbow he underwent surgery on before the 2024 season
It’s been an unfortunate two years for Endy Rodriguez.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ former Minor League Player of the Year missed all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery after suffering an injury in winter ball.
On Friday, Rodriguez left the game with right elbow discomfort. Donnie Kelly told the media that Rodriguez is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list.
Rodriguez appeared ok after throwing the ball down to second base before the start of the second inning, but was tended to by the training staff and immediately went to the dugout after being met by the medical team.
Rodriguez made the team out of spring training and played at first base on Opening Day. He suffered a right-hand laceration that sidelined him for over a month. The switch-hitting catcher was active on May 28 in Arizona and only appeared in three games before being reinjured.
It’s a concerning injury for Rodriguez, the same surgically-repaired elbow that took him over 12 months to return from.
Rodriguez slashed .173/.246/.250 with four doubles, no home runs, two RBIs, and 14 strikeouts in 18 games.
I love Endy Rodriguez so much
Shows off his athleticism at 1B with a diving tag pic.twitter.com/tIm6ukCa7E
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) March 29, 2025
The Pirates recalled catcher Brett Sullivan from Triple-A Indianapolis. Sullivan, 31, was hitting .210 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 20 games with the Indianapolis Indians.
Rodriguez is still only 25 and can catch, play first base, and bounce around to second base and the outfield.
His season could very well be in jeopardy. Further tests will indicate the severity, but being placed on the IL one day later is not a good sign.