The Pittsburgh Pirates moved to address a thin catching situation on Wednesday by acquiring veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations.
The 34-year-old, who will turn 35 early next month, had been playing at Triple-A for the Yankees’ affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after signing a minor-league contract in late July.
Because he was never placed on New York’s 40-man roster, the clubs were able to complete the deal more than two weeks after the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Bethancourt was immediately assigned to Pittsburgh’s Triple-A club in Indianapolis, though he is expected to join the major-league taxi squad when the Pirates open a road trip this weekend in Los Angeles. The timing of the addition is no coincidence.
Starting catcher Endy Rodriguez has been on the injured list with left hip inflammation after an earlier stint on the shelf for a glute strain. That has left Henry Davis and Rafael Flores to handle the bulk of the work behind the plate, with little additional major-league depth available after the club designated another catcher for assignment last month.
Manager Don Kelly, speaking after a walk-off win Wednesday night, said he had heard positive reports about the newcomer. Bethancourt is no stranger to the organization. In 2021 he spent a full season with Indianapolis, batting .281 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 92 games.
That familiarity, combined with his experience, made him an appealing option for a club that still has several catching prospects in the pipeline who are not yet ready for everyday big-league duty.
This season the Panama native has shown he can still produce at the highest minor-league level. Across 67 games split between the Cubs’ and Yankees’ Triple-A clubs, he hit .270 with nine doubles, 14 home runs, 45 RBIs and an .811 OPS. Those numbers stand in contrast to his major-league track record.
In 428 career games with Atlanta, San Diego, Oakland, Tampa Bay, Miami and the Cubs, Bethancourt is a .229 hitter with 35 home runs and 135 RBIs.
He has also appeared in three postseason games with the Rays. His offensive profile has always been more power-oriented than on-base focused, and his framing has drawn mixed reviews, but he has generally been regarded as a capable defender.
The move gives the Pirates a seasoned presence who can provide insurance while Rodriguez works his way back and who knows the organization from a previous stint.
For Bethancourt, it offers another chance to contribute at the major-league level after a season spent entirely in the minors.
Whether he sees regular playing time or remains a depth piece will depend on Rodriguez’s recovery and how the current catching tandem performs, but the acquisition at least ensures Pittsburgh is not left short-handed if another injury arises.
