Endy Rodríguez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/catcher Endy Rodriguez (finger) has shed his cast and has been cleared to begin playing catch. Rodriguez has been recovering from a laceration on his right index finger since April. It appears the 24-year-old has progressed well and can begin ramping up his baseball activity. Through his first 15 games of the campaign, Rodriguez held a .178/.260/.244 slash line with three doubles, two RBI, and a 12:5 K:BB. Under the hood, he generated a solid 45.5% hard-hit rate and was able to draw walks at a 10.0% rate. If he continues to progress well, Rodriguez could be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment before the end of the month. When he is cleared to return to Pittsburgh, fantasy managers should expect Rodriguez to compete for time at first base and as the No. 2 backstop behind Joey Bart.

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Endy Rodriguez (finger) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after he exited Monday's contest against the Washington Nationals with a right index-finger laceration that required stitches, sources told MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled right-hander Chase Shugart from the minors. Shugart threw 3 2/3 scoreless relief innings for the Bucs in his first stint with the team. With Rodriguez now on the IL and Joey Bart still nursing a back injury, Henry Davis got the start behind the dish on Tuesday and went 1-for-3 in the 3-0 loss. The fact that the Pirates didn't call up an additional catcher suggests that Bart is getting close to a return. The 24-year-old switch-hitting Rodriguez started the year 8-for-45 (.178) with no home runs, three doubles and two RBI and will be a backup catcher/first baseman when he returns from the IL.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (finger) was forced to exit early during Monday's game against the Washington Nationals. Rodriguez was removed after being hit in the wrist by a deflected ball. Ouch, the Pirates can't afford to lose another catcher with Joey Bart (back) injured as well. The team is calling Rodriguez day-to-day with a right index finger laceration. Henry Davis took over behind the plate on Monday and figures to see more playing time with the team shorthanded at catcher. It doesn't sound like Rodriguez or Bart will require a trip to the injured list.