The Pirates are designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment, manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Pittsburgh has also finalized their signing of first baseman/corner outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Dodgers.
Pittsburgh picked up Nogowski from the division rival Cardinals for cash considerations last month. He hit well in his first couple weeks with the Bucs but has seen his bat crater recently. Altogether, Nogowski has compiled just a .233/.301/.310 line over 143 plate appearances split between St. Louis and Pittsburgh this year.
Nogowski will find himself on waivers in the next few days. The 28-year-old has had a tough season but he’s an accomplished minor league hitter. Nogowksi owns a .270/.386/.431 line in parts of two Triple-A seasons and has a .295/.380/.424 mark in three years at Double-A. That high minors track record could pique the interest of another club. Nogowski still has another minor league option year remaining, so any claiming team could move him between the majors and Triple-A through the end of the 2022 season if they keep him on the 40-man roster.