3 Sean Rodriguez 2B

Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez was cast off the active roster in order to make room for Jordy Mercer (calf), who was reinstated from the DL in a corresponding move. Instead of just optioning him to Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates elected to DFA the utility man, meaning that he will now pass through waivers in order to determine where he will wind up. In 66 games with Pittsburgh, he hit just .167/.277/.313.

Rodriguez (abdomen) was cleared Wednesday to resume all baseball activities, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez has been on the shelf since Aug. 5 with a left oblique strain. Though he's trending in the right direction, Rodriguez won't be activated from the disabled list Thursday when first eligible, with Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk stating that the nature of the utility man's injury will force him to miss more than the minimum amount of time. If Rodriguez is able to begin a minor-league rehab assignment or resume playing in simulated games within the next week, he could be activated from the DL before rosters expand in September.

Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and made an error Wednesday against the Cubs, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

"Tough evening for sure (for Rodriguez)," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've seen a little bit more of that. He's working to try to figure some things out and we're trying to give him an opportunity to figure some things out." His hot-hitting series in Cincinnati following the All-Star break seems like a distant memory. Rodriguez has struck out 10 times in his last 19 plate appearances, going just 1-for-17.

Rodriguez will start at shortstop and bat eighth Sunday against the Mets.

Rodriguez's versatility will earn him his fourth start in five games, with the utility man playing three different positions over that stretch. Unfortunately for fantasy owners who scooped Rodriguez up after his big series in Cincinnati last weekend, the 33-year-old has since followed up with no hits and five strikeouts in 10 at-bats.

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with his fifth homer of the season in Sunday's 9-2 win over Cincinnati.

He's started all three post All-Star break games at second base, going 6-for-12 with a double, two homers and six RBI. Starting second baseman Josh Harrison isn't far from returning -- he could be back as soon as Monday, but Rodriguez is hot right now. It wouldn't be surprising to see manager Clint Hurdle find a spot for the 33-year-old, even if Harrison returns against the Indians.