OF Canaan Smith-Njigba returns to Pirates

Field Level Media|published: Mon 19th February, 14:57 2024

Mar 2, 2023; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Canaan Smith-Njigba (28) reacts after striking out in the first inning of a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. credits: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

Smith-Njigba was on the Pirates' Opening Day roster last season and spent most of 2023 at Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates designated him for assignment on Jan. 31 and he was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Feb. 7. Seattle DFA'd him on Saturday.

Smith-Njigba, 24, has a .135 batting average (5 for 37) with five RBIs in 18 games over the previous two seasons for the Pirates and his rookie status still is intact.

He batted .280 with 15 homers, 28 doubles, 21 stolen bases and 74 RBIs in 105 games at Indianapolis last season.

Smith-Njigba is the older brother of Seattle Seahawks 2023 rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

The Pirates put right-hander JT Brubaker on the 60-day injured list to make room for Smith-Njigba on the 40-man roster.

Also Monday, Pittsburgh signed right-hander Chase Anderson to a minor league contract with an invitation to big-league spring training.

Anderson, 36, is 59-56 with a 4.35 ERA in 218 games (200 start) over 10 seasons with seven teams. He split 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies.

—Field Level Media