Rafael Flores Jr. launches three-run homer in win

It’s his eighth appearance as a first baseman this year, but probably one of the last with Ryan O’Hearn activated off the injured list. Nevertheless, Flores has slugged .549 in his last 23 games and has worked his way into more playing time at catcher.

Flores had four hard-hit balls tonight, including a barrel that turned into a flyout. His ability to help the Pirates as a catcher remains in question, but his bat is pretty potent. He’s hitting .243/.318/.525 in 110 plate appearances.

Rodríguez underwent a procedure to address a labrum tear and won’t be cleared to resume baseball activities until at least March, which means he’s going to miss time at the outset of next season. The 26-year-old was showing some really encouraging signs at the plate before hitting the injured list earlier this month. His absence opens the door for Rafael Flores to continue playing regularly between catcher and first base into next season.

Flores had a pinch-hit homer batting for Henry Davis in the seventh and then tied the game with another solo shot off Kenley Jansen in the ninth. He’s now 15-for-48 with six homers in 19 appearances this season. His defense is rather rough and he made a throwing error during his brief time behind the plate today, but it seems like the Pirates need to start playing him fairly regularly to see if he can keep this up. Maybe that’s part of the thinking behind acquiring Christian Bethancourt; adding a third catcher would make it easier to start Flores at DH.

One of them was against position player pitcher Javier Sanoja, but it all looks the same in the box score. The other was off LHP reliever John King — both of them were pulled into left field. The former Yankees farmhand acquired in the David Bednar trade was hitting .200/.355/.360 before this effort and is at .233/.361/.567 with it.

With Endy Rodriguez (hip) headed to the injured list, the Pirates will simply use Rafael Flores Jr. as their backup catcher, so they can call up Brannigan as a reserve infielder. He has hit .217/.324/.447 with 14 home runs in 69 Triple-A games this season.

Henry Davis will catch in his place against the Mets. Rodríguez was also absent Friday, but that just seemed to be a day off. If Rodríguez lands on the IL, the Pirates will probably call up a non-catcher (most likely Tyler Callihan or Billy Cook) and let Davis and Rafael Flores Jr. split time.

Flores returns to Pittsburgh’s roster with Ryan O’Hearn landing on the injured list with a quad strain. The 25-year-old backstop hit the shelf with a concussion last week.

No word yet from the Pirates on how long Flores will be shelved for, but he’ll need to pass through the concussion protocol before he’s cleared to return. Shawn Ross was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move to provide depth behind the plate for the Bucs.

Flores Jr. is 2-for-3 with a home run in two games with the Pirates this season. He’s hitting .228/.362/.342 with four home runs and 38 RBI in 65 games at Triple-A this year and is firmly off the fantasy radar.