The Pittsburgh Pirates commit to youth behind the plate, shipping the out-of-options Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves.
The Pittsburgh Pirates cleared up their muddied catching situation with a late-night waiver trade on Thursday and might have also found eventual help for their beleaguered bullpen.
The Pirates sent catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves for right-handed relief pitcher Hunter Stratton, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. The 29-year-old Stratton was Pittsburgh's 16th-round draft pick in 2019 and made his major-league debut with the Pirates in 2023.
Bart was on a rehab assignment at Indianapolis, where he was recovering from a left foot infection that had sidelined him since May 10. With Bart’s return from the injured list imminent, Pittsburgh was going to have three catchers for two roster spots.
The Pirates have opted to go with the tandem of Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis behind the plate. Both have minor-league options remaining, while Bart doesn’t and would have had to clear waivers to be sent to the minors.
Rodriguez was called from Indianapolis when Bart was placed on the IL and is hitting .267/.410/.467 with three home runs in 23 games. Rodriguez was considered Pittsburgh's top prospect prior to the 2023 season and reached the major leagues later that year. Two surgeries on Rodriguez’s right elbow set back his progress, but the Pirates believe the 26-year-old is ready to blossom.
Pittsburgh continues to hold onto the hope that Davis can turn into a good major-league player, perhaps giving him more chances in the big leagues than warranted because they selected him first overall in the 2021 draft. Davis, 26, is hitting .138/.242/.285 with homers in 47 games this season, and his career slash line is .173/.258/.293 in 810 plate appearances.
Bart played 21 games with the Prates this season and batted .259/.290/.379 while homering twice.
Stratton could have a chance to be promoted to the major leagues if he does well at Indianapolis. Pittsburgh is 20th in MLB in reliever ERA with a 4.43 mark.
Stratton made one appearance for the Braves this season when he pitched one scoreless inning on May 2 against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. Atlanta designated Stratton for assignment on Monday.
At Triple-A Gwinnett, Stratton was 2-4 with one save and a 4.38 ERA in 21 games.
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