The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Endy Rodriguez had two hits and drove in a pair of runs in his return to the majors and the Pittsburgh Pirates breezed past the Colorado Rockies 7-2 on Thursday.

Rodriguez, a catcher once considered among the top prospects in Pittsburgh’s farm system before missing all of 2024 and most of 2025 due to a pair of elbow injuries, doubled off Chase Dollander (3-3) in the second and added a two-run single in the third in his first big league appearance since June 6, 2025.

Ryan O’Hearn had three hits for Pittsburgh, including a two-run homer in the first as the Pirates raced to an early lead and cruised. Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin and Jared Triolo added two hits each as Pittsburgh began a six-game homestand by taking two of three from the Rockies.

Carmen Mlodzinski (3-3) allowed two runs in five innings after coming on after left-handed relievers Mason Montgomery and Evan Sisk.…