8:54AM: Sanchez chose to reject the outright assignment and become a free agent, as per his personal MLB.com profile page.
8:28AM: The Pirates have outrighted outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba and catcher Ali Sánchez to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the team’s official transactions feed. The two players were designated for assignment on Opening Day but have now cleared waivers.
Smith-Njigba has become quite familiar with the DFA wire, as he briefly left the Pirates organization via waiver claim when Pittsburgh initially designated him back in January. The Mariners claimed Smith-Njigba but then designated him shortly thereafter, allowing the Pirates to claim him back less than three weeks after initially parting ways with the outfielder. This latest transaction allows the Bucs to move Smith-Njigba off their 40-man roster, but he’ll remain as a depth option at Triple-A.
CSN turns 25 next month, and his big league resume consists of 18 games and 44 plate appearances (with a .493 OPS) with Pittsburgh over the last two seasons. Apart from his brief sojourn as as Mariner, Smith-Njigba has also been a member of the Yankees organization, beginning his pro career as a fourth-round pick for New York in the 2017 draft. He came to the Pirates as part of the four-player trade package for Jameson Taillon in January 2021.
Over 686 career plate appearances at the Triple-A level, Smith-Njigba has hit a solid .273/.366/.439 while hitting 16 homers and stealing 29 bases in 37 attempts. He isn’t particularly fast despite those good base-stealing numbers, and Smith-Njigba has primarily played the two corner outfield positions apart from a handful of appearances in center field. Smith-Njigba is also a left-handed hitter and the Pirates are currently loaded with right-handed bats, even though the outfield (left-handed hitting Jack Suwinski and switch-hitter Bryan Reynolds) has more balance.
This isn’t the first time Sanchez has been outrighted off a 40-man roster, so the catcher has the right to reject the Pirates’ assignment and re-enter free agency. There hasn’t yet been any word on whether or not Sanchez will remain in the organization, though he is currently the only catcher in Indianapolis with any big league experience and would be the first call-up if either of Henry Davis or Jason Delay was injured.
Sanchez’s tenure in MLB isn’t exactly vast, as he debuted with five games with the Mets in 2020, two games with the Cardinals in 2021, and he hasn’t since returned to the Show. The 27-year-old has spent much of his career in the Mets’ farm system, but has since bounced around to multiple teams in search of catching depth. This is technically Sanchez’s second stint with the Pirates, as he was claimed off waivers from the Tigers in October 2022 only to be claimed away again a couple of months later by the Diamondbacks without ever actually suiting up for Pittsburgh in a pro game.
The Pirates signed Sanchez to a guaranteed Major League deal this past December, perhaps as an acknowledgement of his strong .311/.375/.492 slash line over 267 PA in 2023 with Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. The catcher is out of minor league options, so the Bucs had to designate Sanchez for assignment in order to remove him from the 40-man.
Sanchez was once a promising Mets prospect with a rifle for an arm even if he hit for no power. Has bounced around the minors for a long while now, but has never been able to raise his to mlb standards.
Perfect AAA/spring training catcher.
Loving the 3-0 start, but the Bucs can’t continue to strand so many runners. Overall, super happy with the team. Platoons are working well. Excellent work from relievers. Jones was awesome. Let’s Go Bucs!
Bucs are 7 for 29 with RISP
23 LOB
Just a little more improvement in that area would be great
They’re already down 5 runs thanks to the horrible pitching performance by Falter and it’s only the first inning
I blame Shelton for making him a starter
It’s going to be a tough game for the Bucs to bounce back, especially with the questionable lineup Shelton put together
They’ve scored 6, 7, and 9 in the first 3 games. They have constant guys on base which is also going to have runners stranded as well
I see Suwinski hasn’t changed his approach to facing left handed pitchers, swinging at every pitch no matter where it’s thrown
Same thing goes for Tellez. Neither should be in the lineup against lefties
Shelton must pull his lineups out of a hat.Normal managers would stick with what works. Shelton isn’t normal
It’s laughable. Really. You’d think Taylor would be in the lineup in these instances. Joe at 1B.
But hey, three games in and some guys need “a day off”
Shelton plays to lose quite often. Nice of the Marlins to pitch a guy who refuses to take charity for an answer
It’s apparent that Ortiz should be a starter and Falter in the pen.
Gone are the days when players appeared in all 162 games and instead given days off.
Shelton is a horrible manager and if it wasn’t for me getting older wanting a WS championship before dying ( I would hope for another losing season under his leadership
Agreed. Still, a little better batting average with RISP will help in the long run. By the way, 4-0.
Raise the Jolly Roger!
We had ‘em all the way!
And there was No doubt about it!
Any word on Jackson Wolf?
They’re going to have to do something about the catcher situation if either Delay or Davis gets injured because they have no depth at Indy.
At least no one ready for major league pitching
Otherwise it’s been exciting to watch the guys and the bullpen so far. Pitch selection by the hitters needs to improve, and hitting the ball opposite direction would be helpful though Crux is showing signs that it comes naturally for him
I know that they ended up winning the first game but there’s no excuse for striking out 17 times
Delay would start and Bins would be called up. Catcher is traditionally not an offensive position.
Don’t forget Grant Koch and Abrahan Gutierrez. Most likely they would call up a guy who they can sneak through waivers once again after a player came back from an injury.
I wasn’t talking about the catcher position being offensive, but just because it’s not traditional doesn’t mean you put any moron behind the plate and expect him to strike out all the time
The Bucs were third to last in runs scored last year partly because our catchers sucked offensively
Says who? Shall I name 20 or 40 “offensive” catchers for you?
@Tiredolderdude, fans are so accustomed to catchers who can’t hit their weight, and are only happy with their defensive skills, it’s no wonder why catchers of our generation are forgotten
Johnny Bench, Manny Sanguillen, Gary Carter, all catchers and all who were known for more than just their defensive abilities
Instead we have a backup catcher in Delay who like Hedges who we had last year can’t hit consistently either yet current fans are happy with it
As a Yankees fan I can tell you “we” have some upper level catching depth. I wonder if the list of PTBNL guys has a catcher on it? I’m assuming there will be some decent prospects to pick from.
They still have Grandal, right? Not sure about the timeline on his injury…
When Grandal comes back, most likely Delay will be dfa’d.
Delay still has options, he will go to Indy
Shelton’s lineup in today’s game is another head scratcher
He has 4 left batters in the lineup against a left handed pitcher. I understand that he wants to give some of the regulars a day off but the lineup they’ve been using against lefties has been working
And using Falter as the starting pitcher, I won’t be surprised if they lose their first game of the season today
Canaan Smith-Njigba can be shortened to CSN? Not in “Our House”.
This has all been a learning moment. And one day, he’ll undoubtedly teach his children well
Sanchez Cardinals legend
If Smith-Njigba married Isaiah Kiner-Falefa’s sister, would she go by Smith-Njigba-Kiner-Falefa or Kiner-Falefa-Smith-Njigba?
Immediately thought of my friend TheMan3 when I saw today’s starting line up
Guess Shelton feels 3 wins were enough. Start Suwinski and Tellez against a left hander
Give Davis, Cruz and Reynolds “the day off”
And the mystery of Falter as a starter.
Down 5-0 in the 1st already
Nice to know Shelton hasn’t changed his managerial style
You read my mind, @tiredoldderdude. I don’t understand how he doesn’t stick with what works instead of changing the lineup every game
Jack and Rowdy have no business being in the lineup especially when it was settled that Joe and Rowdy would platoon at first base
Rowdy with only 3 rbi. DFA that bum now if he can’t get at least 5 rbi a game.
Against the left handed pitcher, he struck out three times and that’s what I meant about him not being in the lineup
Him and Joe were supposed to be platooning at first base
4 games in though, and Dream looks like a genius with all the A+ ratings that the Pirates received from him during the off season. Only 158 games to go
I was just kidding with you. I am 100 percent on board with the platoon but the Pirates aren’t unfortunately. Facing 5 lefty starters in a row is crazy. Guess they can’t hurt Tellez feelings benching him 5 days in a row. And in fairness he probably hits some lefties better than others and based on pitch quality they picked the better matchups for him. Bottom line 5 abs vs lhp 5 strike outs. I wouldn’t have stared him at all. Or only 1 game and batted him 9th.
In the Brubaker trade article I told Mendoza by 2026 tiredolderdude will change his username to Assistant dream gm and will be A+ everything the Pirates do. Lol
I get what you’re saying about them facing five consecutive lefties, but Shelton could have inserted Rowdy in the lineup when a right handed reliever was inserted by the Marlins later in the game
Between him and Iack against the starter they struck out 5 times, twice with runners in scoring position
Taylor who had been hitting against lefties the first two games and did well, wasn’t in the starting lineup
I guess what I’m saying is Shelton pays too much attention to wanting to give his regulars days off
They can sit when the season is over
I will let my tired older dude assistant dream gm make this decision. What do you say TODADGM? Fire Shelton or keep him?
I like the idea.
And here’s the thing about managers and coaches, in my way of thinking. Most are average. Few are exemplary. Few are in over their heads
Most of the time, it comes down to what hand they’re dealt….that is, their personnel
I used to say colleges were different but really, in this era, coaches are recruiters more than anything else.
I had problems with how Tanner did things at times. And Leyland. And Hurdle.
I said last season that while his lineups and strategies sometimes leave me cold, I didn’t get what the fan base expected with what he was given
No, you don’t fire Shelton. Even if they were 0-5 at this point
You just hope the player development folks are on top of their game here
You didn’t ask me but will offer my opinion anyway
Shelton doesn’t need to be fired, just reminded that during the early stages of the season, there will be weather related cancellations, that the lineup should be written with the best possible plan for a victory and stop scheduling planned days off for your regulars
If, for example, Reynolds is hot and driving in runs or getting on base at a regular pace, don’t sit him for a “ scheduled day off”.
When he returns there’s no guarantee that pace will continue. Players get into grooves, why mess with them?
Yeah, agreed. This is my major gripe. What he put forth as a lineup in Miami on Sunday really went against any kind of baseball logic there is
Playing left handed hitters who can’t hit lefties
Sitting guys who have been hot
And jeez, Falter as a starter
Best part was, the Pirates won anyway
And that’s my thing about managers and coaches, at least on game days. They can make good or poor decisions. Talented players will overcome the mistakes or make good decisions appear run of the mill
It’s what we don’t see that is important, namely, are players being developed to their fullest potential?
I completely agree, @tiredolderdude
Another issue I have with his lineups, Oliveras shouldn’t be in the #5 spot in the order, he’s not consistent enough plus he’s never seen a pitch that he didn’t want to swing at.
Taylor should be in that spot. He has speed, knows how to bunt to get on base and will take a walk on occasion
Davis should be the cleanup hitter and not Cutch. I love Cutch but I think he feels pressure to produce because he always has yet considering his age and the possibility of injury he might be better in the lower part of the lineup
I forgot that penciling in Falter as a starting pitcher should indicate to Shelton that he needs his best offensive players in the lineup if he wants to win
Have to say that finally, an MLB team used the approach girls fast pitch teams have been using for years with the international tie breaker. Bunts put pressure on defenses, and the bunt with Cruz on 3rd was perfect
It’s about time
Not a fan of the lineup Shelton put together today but they won anyway. Good start
And now they’ll likely play another 4-0 team, the Guardians
Cleveland played the A’s so it doesn’t count.
Delay’s bunt was a thing of beauty and surprisingly perfect. Caught the Marlins off guard.
And that home run that Rowdy hit was a rocket, yet I remain convinced that he shouldn’t bat against lefties
They play the Nationals next, not the Guardians
Yep. I got that wrong. Thx
I wanted to add that after watching this series, is it safe to assume Cruz will never slide feet first again? Not a criticism, mind you, it was just notable as he flew around the bases and had to slide…head first
Ortiz should be put in the rotation and Falter in the bullpen
This home plate umpire has a wide and low strike zone for the Nationals and didn’t give any questionable pitches to the Bucs and coward Derek never argues for his players
He is quite honestly the worst manager in baseball and his team wins not because of him but in spite of his
Contrares looks good
I spoke too soon about Contrares but this is what you get when a pitcher only has 2 pitches
The batter will look for the fastball when the pitcher gets behind on the count
I wish he had 2 pitches. Heck wish he had 1.
Yeah, you could almost feel that coming
If I’m a hitter who sees he’s throwing the fastball 70-80% of the time, it’s not rocket science to sit on the fastball and take my chances
Problem with Roansy is, one step forward, two steps back. Only hope it doesn’t affect him overall mental approach
Actually I am surprised management didn’t recommend that he develop a third pitch during the offseason, like a change up considering he regressed last year and would be under pressure to improve for this season or risk being released