The Pittsburgh Pirates have transferred catcher/first baseman Endy Rodríguez to the 60-day injured list. Additionally, they’ve claimed right-handed pitcher Michael Darrell-Hicks off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.
We have claimed RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks off waivers from the Angels and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.
C/1B Endy Rodríguez has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 13, 2025
Pirates Transfer Endy Rodríguez to 60-Day IL
Rodríguez, 25, left the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 6 with elbow discomfort. He missed all of last season while he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The recurrence of these issues is obviously a concern to the Pirates, and this latest injury appears to be more serious than initially believed. This virtually guarantees that Henry Davis and Joey Bart will share the Pirates’ catching duties for the rest of the year, barring a trade. Rodríguez won’t be eligible to come off the IL until early August. By the time he completes a rehab assignment, 2025 will essentially be another lost year for the unfortunate catcher.
The versatile switch-hitter Rodríguez made the club out of spring training and was the Pirates’ Opening Day first baseman. He saw action at the first base bag and behind the plate. He went on the IL on April 15 with a lacerated finger. In 18 games, he was just 9-for-52 with two RBI.
Pirates Claim Darrell-Hicks
Darrell-Hicks, 27, was recently designated for assignment by the Angels. He signed with them as an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky University in 2022. The Angels called him up on April 15. His brief time with them didn’t go well. In six games covering 7 2/3 innings, he surrendered eight earned runs on 10 hits and four walks, although he did pick up a major-league win. His minor league record doesn’t have much to recommend, either. In two seasons at Triple-A Salt Lake City, he posted a 6.70 ERA and 1.558 WHIP.
One is struck that with Rodríguez being moved to the 60-day IL and a spot available on the 40-man roster, the Pirates figured they may as well get somebody to occupy that space, and Darrell-Hicks was available. Darrell-Hicks’ time with the organization may be short if a serviceable catcher pops up on the waiver wire.
Main Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
