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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Monday.
Smith-Njigba, who was a member of Pittsburgh's 2023 opening day roster, spent a majority of last season with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit .280 (109-for-389) with 28 doubles, 15 homers, 74 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a .366 OBP in 105 games.
The 24-year-old Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Jan. 31 before being claimed off waivers by Seattle on Feb. 7.
Right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room for Smith-Njigba on the 40-man roster.
The Pirates have also officially signed right-handed pitcher Chase Anderson to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to big league camp.
Anderson has a career record of 59-56 with one save, a 4.35 ERA and 881 strikeouts in 218 appearances in the big leagues with Arizona (2014-15), Milwaukee (2016-19), Toronto (2020), Philadelphia (2021), Cincinnati (2022), Tampa Bay (2023) and Colorado (2023).
The 36-year-old Anderson attended big league camp with Cincinnati last year before beginning the season with Triple-A Louisville.
Anderson was traded to Tampa Bay on May 3, made two scoreless relief appearances for the Rays, designated for assignment on May 10 and claimed off waivers by Colorado on May 12. He went a combined 1-6 with a 5.42 ERA in 19 appearances (17 starts) last season between Tampa Bay and Colorado.
Latest Yanks star arrives
TAMPA, Fla. -- Juan Soto gave some new meaning to pride of the Yankees.
On his first day with his new team, the 25-year-old star outfielder walked into a news conference in the tent behind third base wearing a navy T-shirt with white print that proclaimed: "The generational Juan Soto."
"When you're really good, it's easy to have that confidence," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday. "The resume that he has is pretty remarkable."
Soto's prediction for his production in a lineup alongside 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge was as bold as the type on his chest.
"It's going to be two walks or it's going to be two gappers," Soto said.
A three-time All-Star, Soto was acquired from San Diego on Dec. 6 along with outfielder Trent Grisham for four pitchers and catcher Kyle Higashioka. Soto hit .275 with 35 homers, 109 RBIs and a .930 OPS in his only full season with the Padres, leaving him with a .284 average, 160 homers, 483 RBIs and a .946 OPS in six major league seasons that included a 2019 World Series title with Washington.
Soto is eligible for free agency after the World Series, so it's unclear whether he will become a longtime pinstriper like Lou Gehrig, subject of the 1942 movie "The Pride of the Yankees."
Boone had a conversation with Soto on Monday to ease the transition.
"As great a player as he is, and as much respect as he carries, still the new kid at the first day of school," the manager said.