Outfielder Alexander Canario of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, was added to the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ 26-man roster on April 3. In a corresponding move, South Korean utility player Ji Hwan Bae was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Catcher Jason Delay, who was designated for assignment on April 1, was traded to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.
We have added OF Alexander Canario to our 26-man Major League Roster, and INF/OF Ji Hwan Bae has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
In addition, C Jason Delay, who was designated for assignment on April 1, has been traded to the Braves for cash considerations.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 3, 2025
Pirates manager Derek Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington will need to closely evaluate the outfield rotation. Opening Day starters include Tommy Pham in left, Oneil Cruz in center and Bryan Reynolds in right. Veterans Jack Suwinski and Andrew McCutchen are listed as backups across all three outfield spots.
Canario, 24, made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 6, 2023, and played in 21 big league games between 2023 and 2024. He was traded to the New York Mets for cash considerations on Feb. 24, 2025, but was designated for assignment on March 27.
In spring training with the Mets, Canario posted a .306/.419/.611 slash line over 43 plate appearances in 17 games. He collected 11 hits, including two doubles and three home runs, while driving in eight runs and drawing seven walks.
During the 2024-25 LIDOM winter season, Canario played 28 games with Águilas Cibaeñas, slashing .304/.411/.544. He recorded 24 hits, seven doubles, four home runs and 16 RBI in 95 plate appearances.
Canario spent most of 2024 at Triple-A Iowa, appearing in 64 games and hitting .243 with 13 doubles, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, and an .850 OPS. He also played 15 games for the Cubs in 2024, batting .280/.357/.440 with seven hits, one home run and two RBIs.
In his brief debut season in 2023, Canario appeared in six games and hit .294 with one double, one triple, and one home run, driving in six runs across 17 plate appearances.
Through his two seasons in the majors, Canario owns a career slash line of .286/.333/.524 over 45 plate appearances.
The (2-5) Pirates host their first home series of the 2025 season against the (4-2) New York Yankees on Friday, April 4 at 4:12 p.m. EDT.
Photo Source (AP /Ross D. Franklin)
