Pirates catcher Joey Bart sidelined with concussion; Endy Rodriguez activated from injured list

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Joey Bart on the seven-day concussion injured list Wednesday afternoon ahead of their series finale in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bart started Tuesday’s contest, a 9-6 comeback win for the Pirates, but took a backswing to the helmet in the fourth inning.

In the fifth, as reliever Joey Wentz warmed up on the hill, Bart displayed signs of nausea and signalled to Pirates medical officials. Bart ultimately exited the game, and was replaced by Henry Davis.

The Pirates’ starting catcher this season, Bart is slashing .240/.347/.308 with a homer and 11 RBIs in 44 games.

In a related transaction, the Pirates added depth behind the plate by activating Endy Rodriguez from the 10-day injured list.

Rodriguez had been on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he batted .154 (4 for 26) with two home runs and four RBIs over eight games.

The 25-year-old suffered a laceration to his right hand April 14 vs. the Washington Nationals and landed on the injured list the following day.

Before being sidelined, he was hitting .178 with a pair of RBIs in 15 games.

Bart’s injury should mean increased opportunities for Davis behind the plate and in the batting order.

He made a huge impact in Tuesday’s game after relieving Bart, going 2 for 3 with a home run, double and two RBIs to help spark the Pirates’ comeback.

Entering Wednesday, Davis was hitting .269 with four RBIs over 11 games and 26 at-bats.

On the year, the former No. 1 overall pick (2021) is slashing .204/.291/.347.