The move addresses Pittsburgh's catching surplus and adds bullpen depth for Atlanta
Category: Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves for right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton, a deal announced late Thursday night. Bart, who has been on the injured list due to a left foot infection, returns to his hometown team, clearing a crowded catching situation for the Pirates.
This trade is particularly notable as it resolves the Pirates’ dilemma at catcher and provides the Braves with a much-needed arm in their bullpen as they contend for the National League East title.
In exchange for Bart, who was batting .259 with two home runs and six RBIs in 21 games this season, the Pirates acquired Stratton, a player they originally drafted in the 16th round of the 2017 amateur draft. Stratton will be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis, having made just one scoreless appearance for the Braves this season.
Before his injury, Bart had been a promising player for Pittsburgh, hitting .259/.290/.379 in his limited appearances. His injury, which placed him on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 10, complicated the Pirates' catching situation. With Bart sidelined, Endy Rodríguez and Henry Davis had been sharing catching duties, with Rodríguez performing particularly well, batting .267 with three home runs in 23 games.
Stratton, a 29-year-old right-hander, has a history with the Pirates, having pitched for them from 2023 to 2025. In that span, he made 47 appearances, accumulating a 4.30 ERA. After being designated for assignment in June 2025, he was traded to the Braves, where he had a successful stint, posting a 2.20 ERA last season. This season, he has struggled with control, evidenced by a 4.38 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he struck out 24 batters but also walked 16 in 24 2/3 innings.
Joey Bart, a native of Buford, Georgia, was drafted second by the San Francisco Giants in 2018, the highest selection for a Georgia Tech player. His career has been marked by inconsistency, as he has not yet developed into the franchise catcher many expected. After a rocky start with the Giants, he was traded to Pittsburgh at the beginning of the 2024 season, where he showed flashes of his potential, hitting .265 in 80 games during his first season with the Pirates.
As Bart’s performance fluctuated, the emergence of Endy Rodríguez and the struggles of Henry Davis complicated his role. The Pirates had a surplus of talent at catcher, prompting the front office to seek a solution. The trade with Atlanta allows the Pirates to focus on Rodríguez, who has shown promise as a starter, and Davis, who has struggled but remains a top prospect.
For the Braves, this acquisition of Bart provides a homecoming for the young catcher. With Sean Murphy currently on the 60-day injured list due to a broken finger, Bart will likely step into a prominent role alongside 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin. This trade strengthens the Braves’ catching depth and alleviates some of the pressure on their roster management.
Moving forward, the Braves are expected to activate Bart directly onto their major league roster, providing immediate support behind the plate. This transition comes at a time when Atlanta leads the NL East with a record of 46-27, and solidifying their catching position is imperative for their playoff aspirations.
On the other hand, Stratton’s return to the Pirates adds depth to their bullpen, which has been struggling with a 4.43 ERA, ranking 12th in the National League. The Pirates will look to utilize Stratton as a reliable option, especially as they navigate through the remainder of the season. His familiarity with the organization could provide stability as they aim to improve their bullpen performance.
As both teams adjust to this trade, the implications could be far-reaching, particularly for Bart, who will need to prove himself in Atlanta after a challenging stint in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Stratton will be looking to reclaim his role in a Pirates bullpen that desperately needs reinforcements.
The Pirates’ next game is scheduled for June 20, 2026, where the team will continue to assess the impacts of this trade on their roster and performance.