The Pirates’ catching situation took another hit Thursday, with Rafael Flores Jr. headed to the injured list because of concussion symptoms before the series opener against the Cubs at PNC Park.
Manager Don Kelly said the issue began late in the second game of the doubleheader against the Yankees on July 22, then worsened after the game.
“I think it was late in the game the other day," Kelly said pregame." He got hit pretty good.
We went out and checked on him. It just seem to transpire over night, going into yesterday.
Got checked out today and unfortunately, IL.”
To help fill the gap, Pittsburgh is activating Shawn Ross off the taxi squad and making him available for the Cubs game. The move is not simple, though. Ross still needs to be added to both the 26-man roster and the 40-man roster, which means the Pirates will have to clear space by putting someone on the 60-day injured list or designating a player for assignment.
Ross has split time between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, where he has hit .181/.325/.432 with an OPS of .757 in 55 games. He has 28 hits in 155 at-bats, along with nine doubles, 10 home runs, 25 RBI and 33 walks against 72 strikeouts.
Kelly pointed to Ross’ athleticism and work ethic over four seasons in the organization, noting that he signed with the Pirates after playing in NAIA with Clarendon Junior College in Clarendon, Texas and also after a stint in Indy ball.
There was at least one positive update for Pittsburgh behind the plate: Endy Rodríguez is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis tonight.
Henry Davis is healthy and will handle the bulk of the catching duties for now, but Rodríguez’s return would give the Pirates a much-needed boost.
Flores had just returned to Pittsburgh for his second stint of 2026 on July 8, after Rodríguez went on the 10-day injured list with a left glute hamstring. In six games this month, Flores has two hits in 12 at-bats for a .167 average, with two walks and two strikeouts.
He first joined the Pirates this season on June 10, when Davis was placed on the Paternity Leave list. Flores appeared in two games against the Dodgers at PNC Park, drawing a walk before Tyler Callihan’s three-run homer in the 9-8 win on June 10, then launching a solo shot in the fifth inning of the 8-6 loss on June 11 for his first major league home run.
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