Pirates designate Vazquez for assignment, option Pearce
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates designated infielder Ramon Vazquez for assignment, a move that could cost them as much as $2 million.
The Pirates have 10 days to trade, release or waive Vazquez, who signed a $4 million, two-year contract before hitting .230 last season. Any major league team that acquires Vazquez and keeps him all season would be responsible for paying no more than the minimum salary of $400,000, with the Pirates paying the rest.
Outfielder Steve Pearce was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. The Pirates also purchased the contracts of relievers D.J. Carrasco and Jack Taschner from Indianapolis.
The moves mean Rule 5 outfielder John Raynor made the club despite hitting .229 this spring. Also kept was right-handed reliever Hayden Penn, who was claimed off waivers from Florida last week.
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