After a brief stint with the Seattle Mariners, Canaan Smith-Njigba is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates claimed the 24-year-old outfielder on waivers Monday.
Smith-Njigba was the Pirates’ Opening Day starter in right field last season but hit. 125 in 15 major league games and spent most of the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit .280 with 15 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 105 games.
The Pirates designated Smith-Njigba for assignment Jan. 31 to make room on the 40-man roster for free agent addition Aroldis Chapman.
He was claimed by the Mariners on Feb. 7, setting up a reunion of sorts with his brother, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is a wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Mariners, however, designated Smith-Njigba for assignment when they claimed pitcher Levi Stoudt off waivers from Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing the Pirates to pick him back up Monday.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates placed pitcher JT Brubaker on the 60-day injured list. Brubaker is recovering from Tommy John surgery last April.
The Pirates also officially announced Monday that they signed veteran right-handed starter Chase Anderson to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.
Anderson, 36, has a career record of 59-56 with a 4.35 ERA with six teams. Last season, he went 1-6 with a 5.42 ERA in 19 appearances with Tampa Bay and Colorado.
