A piston rod assembly for a reciprocating compressor. The piston rod assembly may include a piston rod having a longitudinal axis and forming a piston rod neck and a piston rod shoulder. The piston rod may include a first end integral or coupled with a piston head and a second end axially opposing the first end and configured to couple with a crosshead including a flange. An inner surface of the flange may have a Brinell hardness. The piston rod assembly may also include a cylindrical sleeve disposed circumferentially about the piston rod neck. The cylindrical sleeve may have a lower Brinell hardness than the Brinell hardness of the inner surface of the flange.