The Pirates designated utilityman Diego Castillo for assignment Tuesday as the corresponding move for signing Austin Hedges.
Castillo, 25, played his way onto the opening day roster after a big spring training, but that strong March did not carry over into the regular season. He slashed .206/.251/.382 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs in his rookie season, bouncing around the diamond defensively and between the majors and minors in the final months of the season.
Castillo was the odd man out for what should be a crowded middle infield next season, which includes Oneil Cruz, Rodolfo Castro, Ji Hwan Bae and presumably prospects Liover Peguero and Nick Gonzales.
Castillo was acquired by the Pirates in late July 2021 alongside Hoy Park for reliever Clay Holmes. Park was designated for assignment and traded to the Red Sox in November.
The Pirates will need to open up another roster spot whenever they officially announce the signing of free-agent lefty Jarlín García.
