Morning Rundown: Yasmani Grandal activated off of IL, Henry Davis optioned to Triple-A

The Pirates make some moves at the catcher position.

May 04, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to option catcher Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis after struggling to start the season.

Davis, 24, was the first overall pick back in 2021, breaking into the majors last year and earning the starting catching job this spring.

It’s been a tough stretch for Davis, who has slashed just .162/.280/.206 with a wRC+ of 48 and a strikeout rate of 34.9%. After hitting four home runs in 16 spring training games, Davis didn’t hit one once the regular season started.

Defensively he didn’t grade out too well analytically, as he had a -3 DRS on Fangraphs. He also graded out negatively on Baseball Savant when it came to pop time and framing, although he had a positive rating for blocks above average.

He’s also struggled to throw out runners at second, with an 11% caught-stealing mark, despite having one of the better pop times and arm strengths (numbers from Savant).

Davis' injury meant Yasmani Grandal was ready to return. After signing with the Pirates in free agency, he has yet to play a regular-season game after missing time during spring due to plantar fasciitis.

He hasn’t been lighting the world on fire in Triple-A (.257/.316/.400, 84 wRC+), but with the Pirates' lack of offense, any shake-up seems worth trying.

Grandal isn’t the same hitter he once was, but still finished around league average in walk, strikeout, chase, and whiff rates.

When it comes to framing, Grandal actually finished in the 72nd percentile among catchers last year.

The Bradenton Marauders won their second straight game and claimed at least a series split this week against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.

He struggled to throw strikes at times, but Carlson Reed pitched five shutout innings to earn the win. Offensively, Eddy Rodriguez had three hits, including two doubles and a pair of runs driven in.

They now have two opportunities to claim their first series win of the season with Michael Kennedy and Khristian Curtis on the mound this weekend.

Pittsburgh Pirates activated Yasmani Grandal from the 7-day injured list
C Henry Davis optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
RHP Drake Fellows assigned to the Altoona Curve from the Greensboro Grasshoppers

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