The Pittsburgh Pirates after finalizing a trade for infielder Sean Rodriguez from the Tampa Bay Rays, have designated first baseman Gaby Sanchez for assignment.
The 29-year-old Rodriguez hit .211 (50-for-237) with 13 doubles, three triples and a career-high 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 96 games last season with the Rays. He made 23 appearances (14 starts) at second base, 18 appearances (14 starts) at first base, 17 appearances (12 starts) in left field, nine appearances (seven starts) at third base, two appearances in right field and one start at shortstop.
Rodriguez, who was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay on November 26, was originally selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the third round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft and made his big league debut in 2008 with the Angels.
He has recorded a career average of .225 (370-for-1641) with 84 doubles, 11 triples, 45 home runs and 186 RBI in 624 games in the big leagues with the Angels (2008-09) and Tampa Bay (2010-14).