The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced on July 27, 2026.
Rodríguez, 26, has been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis to provide organizational outfield depth.
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To make room on the 40-man roster for Rodríguez and to clear a spot on the active roster for reinstated catcher Endy Rodríguez, the Pirates designated catcher Shawn Ross for assignment.
Ross appeared in two games over the weekend, hitting a two-run home run in his only start.
Baltimore had designated Rodríguez for assignment on Thursday to free up a roster spot for catcher Yohel Pozo, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Orioles needed catching depth after Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo both suffered injuries in July.
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"The Orioles have traded OF Johnathan Rodríguez to the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. The 26-year-old had been DFA'd on Thursday," reported Jake Rill of MLB.
com.
Rodríguez has a . 177 batting average in 132 major-league plate appearances across stints with Cleveland and Baltimore.
However, his minor-league numbers are strong: a . 295 average with 60 home runs and 215 RBIs over four Triple-A seasons.
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The acquisition adds outfield depth for Pittsburgh, with Oneil Cruz sidelined due to injury and rookie Esmerlyn Valdéz recently leaving a game with a wrist injury.
