Pirates Aquire Orioles Outfielder

The Pittsburgh Pirates added some needed outfielder depth.

Jul 18, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Johnathan Rodríguez (30) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates continue making roster moves and addressed a lack of outfielders in their organization with their most recent one.

The Pirates announced that they acquired outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez from the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 27.

Pittsburgh designated catcher Shawn Ross for assignment, making room for Rodríguez on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles designated Rodríguez for assignment on July 23 and trade him to the Pirates, who may eventually give him a chance in the major leagues.

Why the Pirates Traded for Rodríguez

The Pirates added Rodríguez as they needed some outfielder depth on the 40-man roster, with only Jhostynxon García not in the major leagues.

All their other options are in the major leagues, like utility men in Tyler Callihan and Jared Triolo, right fielders Ryan O'Hearn and Esmerlyn Valdez, left fielder Bryan Reynolds and backup outfielders Billy Cook and Jake Mangum, while center fielder Oneil Cruz is still out injured.

May 25, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia (34) in the batting cage before the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Pirates are also just one week away from the trade deadline and if they move a player, Garcia for example, they would have another player available that they could call on for outfield depth.

It's also an easier addition for the Pirates, then having to trade a prospect or two for another outfielder

Background on Jonathan Rodríguez

Rodríguez has played 51 games in the major leagues the past three seasons, 13 in 2024 and 31 in 2025, both seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, and seven games this season with the Orioles.

He hasn't impressed in that time, batting .177/.288/.301 for an OPS of .589, with 20 hits in 113 at-bats, six doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI and 18 walks to 42 strikeouts.

Sep 27, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez (30) hits a home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rodríguez was a third round selection from the Guardians back in 2017 out of the Carlos Beltrán Baseball Academy in Florida, Puerto Rico.

He has had better success in the minor leagues, slashing .284/.363/.483 for an OPS of .846 in 736 games, with 763 hits, 143 doubles, 20 triples, 118 home runs and 448 RBI.

Rodríguez has also shown his power in recent years, with 26 home runs between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron in 2022, then 29 home runs each in 2023, between Akron and Triple-A Columbus and in 2024, just with Columbus.

He has mostly played in right field, with 421 starts in 429 games played there in the minor leagues, and then 195 starts in 197 games in left field and just 11 starts in 15 games played in center field.

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