Davis was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Davis seemed to have the inside track to the backup catcher job for much of spring, and he performed adequately by collecting nine hits across 36 at-bats with four extra-base knocks. However, Endy Rodriguez was even more impressive and has secured a roster spot to begin the season. The Pirates presumably would still like to see Davis make an impact in 2025, so he should make his way to Pittsburgh at some point.
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Pirates' Henry Davis: Chance to be backup catcher
Rotowire
Davis is projected to make the Opening Day roster by Alex Stumpf of MLB.com.
Davis has had impressive moments in spring training, with the team particularly happy that he's hit the ball to all areas of the field. He has a .238 ISO across 23 plate appearances to show for it, though he's also struck out at a 26.1 percent clip. Joey Bart will begin the season as the starter behind the plate, but Davis would potentially start a few times per week if he cracks the roster.
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Pirates' Henry Davis: Healthy for spring
Rotowire
Davis (hand) was spotted taking batting practice Thursday during the Pirates' second workout of spring training, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Davis appears to have reported to camp without any restrictions after finishing the 2024 season on the injured list due to left hand inflammation. Even before being shut down with the hand injury, Davis had endured a rough second season at the big-league level, slashing just .144/.242/.212 with a 37.2 percent strikeout rate in 121 plate appearances while allowing Joey Bart to emerge as the team's top backstop. Davis fared much better over his extended playing time at Triple-A Indianapolis (.952 OPS in 253 plate appearances), and since the Pirates are already confident in his defense behind the plate, he'll get another chance this spring to stake his claim to the No. 1 catching gig with the big club. Bart will open the spring as the frontrunner for the job, and Davis will also face competition from Endy Rodriguez, who is healthy again after missing nearly all of the 2024 season while recovering from elbow surgery.
The Pirates placed Davis on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to left hand inflammation, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
It's unclear when exactly Davis suffered the injury, but he hasn't seen the field since going 0-for-3 with a strikeout Wednesday against the Cubs. Joey Bart and Yasmani Grandal will continue to split catching duties for the Pirates.
