The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to move Ryan Doumit and his $5.1 million salary in the worst way, and Doumit being on the Pirates opening day roster could be in doubt.
Doumit has reportedly been removed from the Pirates travel roster on Friday and has only played in 2 of the Pirates past 5 games. The Tribune-Review reported earlier tonight that he is a healthy scratch for Friday, per a Pirates official.
Manager Clint Hurdle said following tonight’s 11-8 loss, that the Pirates would have some kind of “comment”, maybe tomorrow on Doumit.
Hurdle would not go into details regarding Doumit.
The Pirates have been looking for an American League team to take Doumit off of their hands as he continues to regress defensively as a catcher and it’s hard to see a National League Team believe he can be a starter as a catcher.
Doumit’s play defensively behind the plate has not been any better this spring and there is some talk in Pirates circles that the Pirates want Doumit out of the clubhouse.
Just a few seasons ago, Doumit was seen as a core player for the Pirates.
Chris Snyder enters his first full season as the Pirates starting catcher. The team is said to prefer to have Jason Jaramillo as their primary backup due to his abilities defensively as a catcher.
Sources this week have called it a long-shot that Doumit would be released outright, if a trade before opening day were to fall through.
Updated: After not getting into details, a Pirates PR member has told media members that Doumit is day-to-day with a sore oblique.