The Pittsburgh Pirates have added four prospects to their 40-man roster to protect them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Among them is catcher Endy Rodriguez, who was the team’s Honus Wagner Minor League Player of the Year. To make room on the roster, the Pirates had to designate for assignment four players, including catcher Tyler Heinemen.
The Rule 5 draft will take place December 7th during the annual Winter Meetings being held in San Diego. If a team selects an unprotected player, they have to keep that player on their major league roster for an entire year – or offer them back to the original club.