Maldonado appeared in eight games that year, collecting two hits in nineteen at-bats, for a batting average of .105.

After the end of the season, the Pirates removed him from their 40-man roster, but called him back up in for September 2007, where he hit 2 home runs.

In January 2009, Maldonado signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training with the Boston Red Sox.

On August 3, Maldonado was designated for assignment to create roster space for recently acquired Kurt Suzuki.

[citation needed] Maldonado is a graduate of Unidad Educativa Juan Antonio Pérez Bonalde in Maracaibo, Zulia.