Pirates Catcher Could Undergo Surgery

The Pittsburgh Pirates may lose their best-hitting catcher for the season.

Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Endy Rodriguez (13) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates continue dealing with injuries and one catcher might have to miss the rest of the campaign.

Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez is currently on the 10-day injured list with left hip inflammation and it may cost him the rest of the season, with general manager Ben Cherington saying on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan that surgery is a possibility.

“Yeah that one’s going to take a little bit longer," Cherington said. I think, obviously he’s been kind of fighting this hip, glute issue. We’ve tried different things. You know Endy, he wants to be out there. Just proved to be too much.

“We’re getting some more information. I think surgery is at least a consideration on the table at this point. We’re going to see what happens this week. He’s deliberating..."

Rodríguez Dealing With More Injuries in 2026

Injuries have been a major part of Rodríguez and his MLB career and once again in 2026.

His first injury this season was his left glute, that landed him on the 10-day injured list on July 8, retroactive to July 6, and then saw him come back on July 27, missing 15 games.

Jun 7, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez (13) reacts to a strike against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rodríguez then went most recently on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 13, retroactive to Aug. 10, with the left hip inflammation, marking 12 games he has missed, so 27 games in total so far.

The left hip pain started in June, per Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, which didn't land him on the injured list then, but has clearly been an issue for him, resulting in the glute and now hip inflammation.

Tomcyzk also said that back on Aug. 17 that Rodríguez was seeking second opinions for how he should progress, so surgery being something that is in play isn't too surprising.

Injuries Hurting Rodríguez and His Career

The Pirates catcher hasn't been able to play as much as he'd want to over the past few seasons, thanks to a few other injuries that have kept him out.

Rodríguez didn't play at all for the Pirates in 2024 after undergoing surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and flexor tendon after an injury in 2023 winter ball.

Feb 12, 2025; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (5) during spring training workouts at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

He then played just 18 games in 2025 for Pittsburgh, as he suffered a right index finger laceration in April and then came back for just 10 days before going on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Rodríguez underwent surgery on his right elbow, focused on his ulnar nerve, that saw him miss the remainder of the season.

The Pirates will hope that Rodríguez comes back healthy and they can get back their best hitting catcher back in the lineup.

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