Pirates activate 5th different catcher as Flores has concussion

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When the Pirates traded Joey Bart, they were dealing from a position of strength with a log jam of catchers. Now the Pirates are scrambling after trading Bart, Endy Rodriguez went on Injured Reserve and now another catcher is out approaching one of the biggest homestands in years.

Rafael Flores was put on the Injured List due to a concussion suffered late in the Pirates game at the Yankees on Wednesday.

“He got hit pretty good,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly about a ball fouled off Flores mask while catching. The umpire appeared to hold him up in his catching crouch for a second or two. “We went out and checked on him (and he was deemed fine to stay in the game). It just seemed to transpire overnight going into yesterday. Got it check out today, unfortunately IL.”

Now backing up Henry Davis, in a stretch of 17 straight days with a scheduled game, is Shawn Ross. The 26-year-old was hitting .163 in 33 games at AAA Indianapolis with seven doubles and three home runs.

A non-roster invitee to spring training, Ross played college in NAIA.

“Really pumped for Ross, it’s a long journey that he’s been on, really pumped he gets an opportunity in the big leagues,” said Kelly, who also played at an NAIA college (Point Park).

Ross will be the fifth different catcher to start a game with the Pirates.

“You never know with catching, most of us have probably heard it, but if you haven’t you can talk to (John) Wehner about how he got back to the big leagues in the ‘90s,” Kelly said. “You just never know with catching, it’s such a grueling position and what those guys do every single day back there. The physicality and the toll that it takes on you. You are always one foul ball away, it’s something we always get really nervous about going out and checking on guys because it’s a tough position to play.”