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Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day Roster Prediction
By Marty Leap
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 17: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates scores during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 17, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
Mar 22, 2022; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Roberto Perez (55) singles during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles during spring training at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
Catchers – Roberto Pérez, Michael Pérez
The catcher position appears to be one of the most set in stone ones with the final week of Grapefruit League starting to wind down. Roberto Pérez signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in November to replace the traded Jacob Stallings. The two-time American League Gold Glove Award winner will the team's primary backstop this season.
Michael Pérez spent the entire 2021 season on the Pirate active roster but was designated for assignment early in the offseason. After he went unclaimed, he came to camp as a non-roster invitee by the Pirates. With no other catchers having been added all signs point toward it being the Pérez and Pérez show.
In order to add Michael to the roster the Pittsburgh Pirates will need to remove a player from their 40-man roster. There are plenty options on the organization's 40-man roster to be removed, however. They could also put one of a handful of players who have not appeared in Grapefruit League action on the 60-day injured list.