The Pirates’ ever-changing outfield is getting shaken up yet again.
Free agent outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is signing with the Pirates, according to a report by Jon Heyman, making them his third team of the 2021 season.
It is not known if it is a major or minor-league deal, but likely the latter.
Tsutsugo, 29, was one of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan from 2016-2019, slashing .293/.402/.574 with 139 home runs and 116 doubles.
One of the top international targets during the 2019-200 offseason, he signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Rays.
Splitting time between left field, third base and designated hitter, Trustsugo hit just .197 with the Rays over 185 plate appearances with the Rays last season, but still posted a .708 OPS and a league average 100 OPS+ because of his 26 walks and eight home runs.
After a slow start this year, Tsutsugo was designated for assignment and subsequently traded to the Dodgers in May. The Dodgers outrighted him off the roster in July and released him Saturday.
In 118 plate appearances this year between the two teams, Tsutsugo is slashing .155/.256/.194 with four doubles and seven RBIs.
That isn’t the only outfield news of the day. Before the game, the Pirates placed Anthony Alford on the 10-day injured list with back spasms and activated Ben Gamel off the injured list.
Alford has hit .235 with a .588 OPS and 10 strikeouts over his 17 at-bats since returning to the Pirates last week. He was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup and was only available in an emergency capacity.
Gamel was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 5 with a hamstring strain. He batted leadoff and played left field Sunday.
Additionally, right-hander Bryse Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list with right arm fatigue, and right-hander Shea Spitzbarth was optioned back to Indianapolis after being the 27th player for Saturday’s doubleheader.
