Pirates Add Catcher Jose Herrera on Minor League Deal

The Pirates have signed catcher Jose Herrera to a minor league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Indianapolis. The move comes after Endy Rodríguez was lost to hip surgery, leaving the organization thin on experienced catching depth in the upper minors. Herrera, a switch-hitter with parts of four MLB seasons — all with Arizona — was released by Texas around the All-Star Break after hitting .229/.344/.321 in 40 games at Triple-A Round Rock. He brings significantly more upper-level experience than the current Indianapolis catchers, Derek Berg and Cameron Barstad, who have a combined 45 games above Double-A.