The Pittsburgh Pirates today agreed to terms with free agent outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall on a one-year deal for the 2019 season. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
The left-handed hitting Chisenhall has spent his entire big league career with the Indians after being selected by Cleveland in the first round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft (29th pick overall). He was originally selected by the Pirates in the 11th round of the 2006 Draft, but did not sign.
Chisenhall, 30, hit .321 (27-for-84) in 29 games with the Indians last season. He played his final game on July 1 after suffering a left calf injury on July 2. He also missed two months of action between April 8 and June 4 due to a strained right calf.
"Lonnie Chisenhall adds an experienced, productive and versatile player to our Major League team," said Huntington. "When healthy, Lonnie has been a quality hitter while offering defensive flexibility. He also provides us an immediate option in right field while Gregory Polanco is getting healthy and his abilities and versatility will make our club better once Polanco returns."
After entering the 2011 season ranked as Cleveland's top prospect, Chisenhall made his Major League debut that year and has gone on to produce a career average of .268 with 64 homers and 296 RBIs in 688 big league games. In 2014, he set career highs in games (142), runs (62), doubles (29), home runs (13) and RBIs (59).
In his Major League career, Chisenhall has made 341 appearances at third base, 242 in right field, 21 in center field, 21 at first base and 11 in left field. Since the start of the 2016 season, however, he has made 222 appearances in the outfield, 10 at first base and one at third base.
To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Alex McRae has been designated for assignment.