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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Collects hit in return to majors
Rotowire
Flores went 1-for-4 on Thursday against Atlanta.
He was recalled Wednesday with Endy Rodriguez (lower body) on the injured list. Thursday marked Flores' third big-league game of the season and his second start, though he could have the chance to play a relatively even split with Henry Davis so long as Rodriguez is sidelined.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Moves up to majors
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Flores will provide the Pirates with an extra option behind the plate beyond Henry Davis after Endy Rodriguez (glute) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Flores -- who is also capable of playing first base -- was up with the Pirates for a brief spell in June and produced a pair of extra-base hits in his three at-bats. He's cobbled together a .233/.367/.345 slash line with four home runs and no stolen bases across 281 plate appearances at Triple-A this season.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Sent back to Indy
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Flores went 2-for-5 and notched his first MLB home run during his brief run with the Pirates, but he'll head back to Triple-A now that Henry Davis has returned from paternity leave. Flores could return to Pittsburgh later in the season if the big club's catcher depth is tested again, though most of his time will likely be spent in the minors.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Clubs first career homer
Rotowire
Flores went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double, a second RBI and a walk in Thursday's 8-6 loss to the Dodgers.
Flores got the start behind the plate as the Pirates deal with a bit of a crisis at catcher. Endy Rodriguez (hip) was banged up from Wednesday's game, while Henry Davis (paternity) and Joey Bart (foot) were both unavailable. This was just the ninth game of Flores' big-league career, and he delivered a homer in the fifth inning to get Pittsburgh on the board. His stay in the majors is likely to be short, but he could get another game or two before heading back to Triple-A Indianapolis.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Moves up to big leagues
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Flores will likely be in line for a short-term stay with the Bucs during his first stint in the big leagues this season, as he's slated to provide Pittsburgh with another option at catcher behind Endy Rodriguez while Henry Davis (personal) is on the paternity list. While splitting time between catcher and first base at Triple-A this season, Flores has slashed .207/.320/.324 with four home runs in 53 games.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Optioned to minors
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
The 25-year-old struggled this spring, going 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts and six walks in 14 games. Flores made his MLB debut with seven appearances for Pittsburgh last year and could rejoin the big club in 2026 if depth at first base or catcher is needed.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Struggling in spring
Rotowire
Flores has gone 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts during Grapefruit League games.
Flores is vying for a roster spot as a second catcher alongside Henry Davis, with Joey Bart being his primary competition. Neither has made much of an impression, as Bart has struck out 13 times across 31 at-bats with only five hits. Flores made his major-league debut to close 2025 but had only 17 plate appearances.
Pirates' Rafael Flores: Reaches base twice in debut
Rotowire
Flores went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk Wednesday against the Cubs.
Flores was acquired by the Pirates as the primary return for David Bednar at the trade deadline and made his debut Wednesday. He filled in at first base with a lefty on the mound, and he hit a double to straightaway center field in the third inning for his first big-league hit. Flores will likely continue to find his way into the lineup as he auditions for a potential roster spot in 2026.
Pirates' Rafael Flores: Making MLB debut at first base
Rotowire
Flores will start at first base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.
Flores was summoned from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and will make his major-league debut Wednesday. The Pirates started Henry Davis at catcher Tuesday and are going with Joey Bart behind the plate Wednesday, so the team may not intend to give Flores extended run behind the plate down the stretch. He will, however, get his feet wet at first base, filling in for a resting Spencer Horwitz.
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Pirates' Rafael Flores: Summoned to big leagues
Rotowire
The Pirates selected Flores' contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Acquired from the Yankees on July 31, Flores has slashed .280/.354/.470 with 22 home runs and six stolen bases over 133 games between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season. The 24-year-old has primarily been used at catcher but also has plenty of experience playing first base. With Henry Davis and Joey Bart both having disappointed this season, the Pirates could give Flores a look behind the plate down the stretch.
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