Pirates' Wade LeBlanc: Placed on irrevocable waivers

LeBlanc (quadriceps) was placed on irrevocable outright waivers Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

This means any team can claim LeBlanc and assume the remaining money on his contract without giving the Pirates anything in return. Essentially, the Pirates wanted to clear a 40-man roster spot and see an opportunity to do so and clear LeBlanc's contract in a season where they are no longer realistically in the playoff race. He has a $1.25 million team option and a $50,000 buyout for 2018. Unlike Juan Nicasio, who was also placed on irrevocable outright waivers, LeBlanc happens to be dealing with a quadriceps injury, which complicates matters. He has a 4.99 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in 61.1 innings this season, so it seems unlikely that a team would claim him.