The Pittsburgh Pirates today acquired infielder/outfielder Sean Rodríguez from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league infielder Connor Joe. The club also claimed RHP George Kontos off waivers from the Giants. The announcements were made by Pirates Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
This will be Rodríguez' second stint with the Pirates. He also hit a combined .260 with 28 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 73 RBI in 279 games between 2015-16 with Pittsburgh after being acquired from Tampa Bay in exchange for minor league pitcher Buddy Borden in December, 2014. Last year with the Pirates, Rodríguez set career-highs in gamed played (140), home runs (18), RBI (56), batting average (.270), on-base percentage (.349), slugging percentage (.510) and OPS (.859).
Rodríguez played in 15 games with the Braves in 2017 after beginning the season on the disabled list recovering from left shoulder surgery performed on February 14, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on January 28, in Miami, Florida. Rodríguez made his 2017 debut on July 17 after playing in a total of 11 rehab games with the GCL Braves, Rome, Mississippi and Gwinnett.
The 32-year-old Kontos has posted a 3.83 ERA in 50 appearances with San Francisco this season, his sixth straight season with the club. He has produced a career record of 15-14, a 3.05 ERA (315.2ip/107er) and 258 strikeouts in 307 relief appearances in the big leagues with the New York Yankees (2011) and Giants (2012-17). His 50 appearances this season are currently tied for the eighth-most among National League relievers.
In addition, LHP Wade LeBlanc has been reinstated from the Bereavement List and is active for tonight's game.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Rodríguez and Kontos, outfielder Danny Ortiz and RHP Jhan Mariñez have been designated for assignment.