White Sox's Canaan Smith-Njigba: Catches on with South Siders
Rotowire
Smith-Njiba signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Aug. 7 and debuted with Double-A Birmingham on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run.
Once a well-regarded prospect in the Pirates organization, Smith-Njigba hit .135 over 37 at-bats in the majors between the 2022 and 2023 seasons before he was moved off the 40-man roster in March. Smith-Njigba cleared waivers and stuck around with Pittsburgh at Triple-A Indianapolis, but he slashed just 212/.344/.330 over 219 plate appearances in the International League before he was cut loose in July. The 25-year-old outfielder has now found an opportunity in a new organization, but he'll likely still need to perform well at Birmingham and eventually Triple-A Charlotte for an extended stretch before he garners another look at the big-league level.
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Canaan Smith-Njigba: Heads to free agency
Rotowire
The Pirates released Smith-Njigba on Saturday.
Smith-Njigba struggled to find his footing with Triple-A Indianapolis through 54 games this season, slashing .212/.344/.330 with two home runs, 18 RBI, six stolen bases and 26 runs scored. He'll look to catch on with another organization on a minor-league deal.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Sent to Triple-A
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Smith-Njigba cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.
Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment as the Pirates cleared space on their 40-man roster for the start of the season, but he'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 24-year-old spent most of last season with Indianapolis and had an .839 OPS with 15 homers and 21 steals in 105 games.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Moved off 40-man roster
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The Pirates designated Smith-Njigba for assignment Thursday.
Smith-Njigba was already set to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, but he will now be without a spot on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster. The 24-year-old outfielder was DFA'd twice during the offseason -- once apiece by the Pirates and Mariners -- and he could once again be claimed off waivers after having a solid season at the Triple-A level in 2023.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Smith-Njigba has popped three home runs during Grapefruit League play but nonetheless finds himself sent to minor-league camp. The 24-year-old briefly landed with the Mariners this offseason via waivers before finding his way back to the Pirates.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Returns to Pittsburgh
Rotowire
The Pirates claimed Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Mariners on Monday.
Smith-Njigba will make his return to Pittsburgh after the Pirates previously dropped him from the 40-man roster earlier this month before the Mariners scooped him up off waivers. With Seattle designating him for assignment less than two weeks later, however, Smith-Njigba was able to reclaim a 40-man spot in Pittsburgh, after the Pirates opened up room for the outfielder Monday by placing JT Brubaker (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Smith-Njigba should join the Pirates for big-league spring training, but he has a minor-league option remaining and will most likely be sent to Triple-A Indianapolis before camp comes to a close.
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Mariners' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
The Mariners designated Smith-Njigba for assignment Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Just 10 days after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh, Smith-Njigba will once again be removed from a team's 40-man roster. Smith-Njigba has slashed just .135/.250/.243 across 44 plate appearances in his big-league career, but he put up an .839 OPS in 445 plate appearances last season with the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate. His roster spot will be filled by Levi Stoudt, who was claimed off waivers from the Reds on Saturday.
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Mariners' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Claimed by Seattle
Rotowire
The Mariners claimed Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday.
He joins younger brother and Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Pacific Northwest. Smith-Njigba (the baseball player) is just 5-for-37 during his brief time in the majors but slashed .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals in 2023 at Triple-A Indianapolis. He'll compete for an Opening Day roster spot but does have an option year remaining.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster as the Pirates make the signing of Aroldis Chapman official. Smith-Njigba has struggled during his brief chances in the majors the last two seasons, but he slashed .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals in 2023 at Triple-A Indianapolis and will turn just 25 in April, so there could be some interest on waivers.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Optioned to Indianapolis
Rotowire
Pittsburgh optioned Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.
The move clears space on the 26-man active roster for Osvaldo Bido, as Bido had his contract selected from Indianapolis to make the start versus the Cubs on Wednesday. In 32 at-bats with Pittsburgh in 2023, Smith-Njigba has struggled to a .125/.216/.219 slash with no homers and one stolen bases along with an ugly 16:4 K:BB.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Recalled from Indianapolis
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Smith-Njigba from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
The 24-year-old began the season with the Pirates but was optioned to Triple-A on April 26 after putting up just a .435 OPS through his first 37 plate appearances. Since then, he's slashed .245/.339/.547 with 22 RBI across 124 plate appearances in Indianapolis. Smith-Njigba will give the Pirates additional depth in the outfield, while Chase De Jong will be designated for assignment to free up a roster spot.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Demotion coming
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Smith-Njigba no longer has a locker in the Pirates' clubhouse at PNC Park, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
It appears that Smith-Njigba will be replaced on the roster by reliever Cody Bolton, although nothing is official yet. Smith-Njigba is just 4-for-32 with a 16:4 K:BB over 37 plate appearances this season.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Idle versus lefty
Rotowire
Smith-Njigba is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
Smith-Njigba will take a seat with southpaw Austin Gomber on the hill for Colorado, but the lefty-hitting outfielder has been included in the lineup for each of the past three occasions the Pirates have faced right-handed starting pitchers. With Ji-Man Choi (Achilles) likely out for at least eight weeks, Andrew McCutchen is expected to see most of his reps at designated hitter moving forward, clearing the runway for Smith-Njigba to stake a claim to a large-side platoon role in right field.
Smith-Njigba will take a seat Friday versus the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Smith-Njigba will remain on the bench for a second straight game. Connor Joe will enter the lineup in right field and bat seventh in the series opener.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Heads to bench
Rotowire
Smith-Njigba will not start Saturday against the Reds.
Smith-Njigba got the start in right field on Opening Day against righty Hunter Greene, going 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. With lefty Nick Lodolo on the hill in the second game of the year, Smith-Njigba will sit in favor of Connor Joe.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Will be on Opening Day roster
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Smith-Njigba will be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.
Smith-Njigba claimed the fourth outfielder role in Pittsburgh with a .340 batting average and 1.011 OPS through 47 at-bats of Grapefruit League play. He hit a three-run homer in the Pirates' final spring game Tuesday afternoon against the Twins. There's not much overall evidence hinting at immediate fantasy upside, but he has room to grow at age 23.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Out with broken wrist
Rotowire
Smith-Njigba was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday with a fractured right wrist, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.
The 22-year-old was promoted for his major-league debut earlier this week but will head to the injured list after playing in only three games. Smith-Njigba won't be eligible to be activated until mid-August.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Call-up official
Rotowire
The Pirates recalled Smith-Njigba from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
As anticipated, Smith-Njigba receives his first call-up to the big leagues after slashing .277/.387/.408 with 19 extra-base hits and an 8-for-11 success rate on stolen-base attempts in 218 plate appearances at Indianapolis. The Pirates optioned Travis Swaggerty to Triple-A to clear a spot on the active roster for Smith-Njigba, who could serve as the team's fourth outfielder while he's up with the big club.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: En route to big leagues
Rotowire
The Pirates plan to recall Smith-Njigba from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Monday's game in St. Louis, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Utility man Hoy Park is also set to join the 26-man active roster, though it's unclear who will be deactivated to clear room for the new arrivals. Unless the Pirates are moving one of Bryan Reynolds, Cal Mitchell or Jack Suwinski off the active roster, an everyday role in the outfield may not be available for Smith-Njigba, who lefty-hitting 23-year-old who has hit .277 with 19 extra-base hits (but only one home run) to go with eight stolen bases and a 15.2 percent walk rate across his 218 plate appearances with Indianapolis this season.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
Smith-Njigba was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Smith-Njigba has been with the Pirates in big-league camp after being added to the 40-man roster in November, but he won't make the Opening Day roster. The 22-year-old finished 2021 at Triple-A Indianapolis but spent most of the year with Double-A Altoona, where he hit .269/.395/.402 with six homers, 40 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 66 games.
