The Pittsburgh Pirates have chosen their backup catcher and optioned catcher Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis. Versatile players Billy Cook and Nick Yorke were optioned to Indy along with Davis. Additionally, outfielder Joshua Palacios has been designated for assignment. The moves were posted to the Pirates Transactions page.
#Pirates have optioned Henry Davis, Billy Cook & Nick Yorke. Joshua Palacios has been designated for assignment.
Endy Rodriguez will be the backup catcher to Joey Bart.
Also could be a strong, indication that DJ Stewart makes the roster.
— Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) March 23, 2025
Pirates Option Henry Davis to Indianapolis
The big news is that Davis has lost the battle for the No. 2 catcher’s spot to Endy Rodríguez. Davis, the Pirates’ No. 1 draft choice (and first overall) in 2021, is a right-handed-hitting power hitter for whom they have high hopes. However, he has yet to deliver on those high hopes in the major leagues. In parts of 2023 and 2024 with the Pirates, he hit .191/.283/.307, 8 HR, 29 RBI, and 62 OPS+. Rodríguez spent most of 2024 on the injured list. It was expected that he’d be out the entire season, but he surprised by appearing in 10 minor league games last September.
As for 2025, it was thought that both Davis and Rodríguez would need to start the season in Triple-A, with Jason Delay serving as the backup catcher. However, Davis and Rodríguez exceeded expectations in the spring. Davis was 9-for-36, including two doubles, two home runs, five RBI, and two walks in 15 games. In 13 games, the switch-hitting Rodríguez was 9-for-25 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, nine walks, and six RBI. Their performances left the Pirates brass with a tough decision to make.
When both were brought up to the Pirates in 2023, it was Rodríguez who saw the bulk of the playing time behind the plate. Davis, on the other hand, saw all of his action in right field, except for two innings at catcher. Despite paying lip service to their belief in Davis as a catcher, it’s clear that the Pirates believe Rodríguez to be the better catcher. He’ll back up Joey Bart.
Other Moves
The other moves came as no surprise. Cook and Yorke had an uphill climb to make the team, given that they have minor league options remaining. The popular Palacios, on the other hand, was out of options. Fellow outfielders Jack Suwinski and Ji Hwan Bae have continued to perform well in the spring games. As they grew, Palacios shrank. He must pass through waivers before becoming eligible to be sent to the minors.
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