Hours before the MLB Draft on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates released 39 minor league players in a cost-cutting move.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington warned last week that cuts were coming, a result of anticipated contraction of minor league teams and the likelihood there won’t be a full minor league season this summer. The Pirates have pledged to pay their minor league players through June, with full health benefits.

“Our feeling, and I think the feeling of other teams has been that if we truly cannot see opportunity next year for a minor league player, we are not necessarily helping them by extending the relationship, if it’s that clear,” Cherington said.

The most prominent names among the cuts are: Jake Elmore, a 32-year-old utility player who batted .213 in 20 games with the Pirates last season; right-handed pitcher Luis Escobar, 24, who pitched four games in the majors last season; outfielder Charlie Tilson, 27, who played three seasons with the Chicago White Sox and was a non-roster invitee to spring training; and infielder Sherman Johnson, 29, who played for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.

The Pirates also released the following players: Andres Arrieta, Edgar Barrios, Wily Basil, CJ Dandeneau, Saul Delacruz, Lizardy Dicent, Matt Eardensohn, Nicholas Economos, Jean Eusebio, Kaleb Foster, Ryan Haug, Logan Hill, Samuel Inoa, Orsen Josephina, Sean Keselica, Brett Kinneman, Germin Lopez, Lucas Mangieri, Tilsiamy Melfor, Raul Mora, Kyle Mottice, Jordy Ortega, Juan Pie, Eddison Polonia, Brett Pope, Eduar Ramirez, Braham Rosario, Yordi Rosario, Daniel Ross, Enrique Santana, Bladimir Susana, Lucas Tancas, Mitchell Tolman, Conner Uselton and Pedro Vasquez.

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