The Pirates were just dealt a major blow to their 2024 plans.

After already losing starting pitcher Johan Oviedo for the entire 2024 season, they have also now lost catcher and rising star Endy Rodriguez for the entire upcoming season.

Yesterday night, the Pirates announced that Rodriguez injured himself while swinging on an at bat back on November 13th, while playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic. Per the team, after multiple evaluations, Rodriguez underwent reconstructive surgery on his UCL and a repair of his flexor tendon.

He is currently expected to be able to return to baseball activities between 10 and 12 months, which puts him out for the entire 2024 campaign.

Given that the original injury occurred over a month ago, some of the Pirates’ recent moves make a lot more sense now.

The Pirates signed catcher Ali Sanchez to a major league contract, the first one they gave out in the offseason. At the time of the deal, the move was somewhat confusing, further clouding up the catching position despite Sanchez’s extremely limited MLB experience.

They also have insisted that 2021 first overall pick Henry Davis will catch next season, despite showing literally zero interest in allowing Davis to get behind the plate last season.

Maybe now with Endy out, the Pirates really are serious about trying Davis at catcher, instead of right field (where he played last season) or at first base (which was discussed in the offseason). For Davis, it does open up an opportunity to break into the catching role at the major league level.

The 24 year old Davis spent a mere two innings behind the plate last season, both coming late in blowout games.

The Pirates also have Jason Delay still in the fold, as the catching position still seems a little up in the air, with no clear starter and no clear second string. Delay was re-assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis after the Pirates recalled Endy, but Delay himself got promoted back to the major league level after Hedges was traded.

Delay and Rodriguez split the rest of the season with catching duties.

But regardless, the loss of Rodriguez is a devastating blow to a fan base that deserves something to go right for once in their lives.

Rodriguez was a rising star for Pittsburgh, and also quickly assumed fan favorite status in town after his call up on July 17th.

In 57 games for the Pirates, the 23 year old slashed .220/.284/.328, adding 3 home runs and 13 RBI. His presence was enjoyed enough simply because he was another young prospect called up to try and salvage the season, but he also gained support because he did what brief teammate Austin Hedges could not do: hit the ball.

After Hedges was traded, Rodrigiuez became the primary catcher for the Pirates down the stretch.

Rodriguez finished the season on a very strong note; in the team’s final series of the season vs the Miami Marlins, Endy registered 5 hits, 3 runs, and 2 RBI.

Fans were eager to see a full season of Endy coming up in 2024, but those plans have been completely dashed.

Pirates fans truly never get to have anything nice.

(Featured photo by Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)