The Pirates are carrying an extra catcher into their series opener against the Cubs, with Shawn Ross on the taxi squad and already in the clubhouse at PNC Park on July 24.
It’s not an official activation, but it does give Pittsburgh a quick option if the club needs to make a move behind the plate. Ross is between Triple-A and the majors for now, available if the Pirates decide to bring him onto the roster.
At first glance, the timing doesn’t point to an obvious injury. Henry Davis took batting practice ahead of the game, though there could still be another wrinkle involving Rafael Flores Jr. and his health. Manager Don Kelly is expected to explain the reasoning before first pitch.
Ross has been in this spot before with Pittsburgh, but he has never been activated and still hasn’t made his MLB debut. He also isn’t on the 40-man roster, which means the Pirates would have to clear a spot by moving someone to the 60-day injured list or designating a player for assignment if they want to add him.
The 2026 season has been split between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis for Ross, and the numbers show a mixed year at the plate. In 55 games, he’s hitting .181/.325/.432 with an .757 OPS, 28 hits in 155 at-bats, nine doubles, 10 home runs, 25 RBI and 33 walks against 72 strikeouts.
His best stretch came in Altoona, where he launched seven homers in 22 games and posted a .614 slugging percentage with a 1.017 OPS.
What makes Ross useful in this spot is less about the bat and more about the glove. He’s already familiar with Pittsburgh’s pitching staff after working with them in Spring Training and spending time around them in Triple-A, where he’s caught pitchers including Wilber Dotel, Jared Jones, Isaac Mattson, Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and others.
Ross has been in the organization since signing a minor league deal in December 2022. He spent 2023 and 2024 with High-A Greensboro, then split the last two seasons between Altoona and Indianapolis.
Across 270 minor league games, Ross has hit .188/.319/.416 with a .735 OPS. That’s why this is being framed as depth, not a true promotion - a catcher available if the Pirates need one, nothing more.
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