Pirates Infielder Becomes Free Agent

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a number of roster moves, which saw one of their infielders become a free agent.

Infielder Liover Peguero, who the Pirates designated for assignment, cleared waivers and they outrighted him to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he then became a minor league free agent.

Why Did the Pirates Put Liover Peguero on Waivers?

The Pirates had until Nov. 6 to get their 40-man roster to just 40 players, having to reinstate their players on the 60-day injured list.

Pittsburgh had five players on the 60-day injured list in right-handed relief pitcher Dugan Darnell, right-handed starting pitcher Jared Jones, outfielder Ronny Simon, infielder Enmanuel Valdez and catcher/first baseman Endy Rodríguez.

The Pirates, who were at 43 players on their 40-man roster, designated Peguero, outfielder Ji Hwan Bae and right-handed pitcher Jack Little for assignment, getting to the 40-player limit.

Both Bae and Little found new teams, with the New York Mets claiming Bae and the Detroit Tigers claiming Little.

No one claimed Peguero off of waivers, which saw him outrighted to Indianapolis and then becoming a minor league free agent.

Liover Peguero's 2025 Season for the Pirates

Peguero started his season with Triple-A Indianapolis, slashing .258/.309/.382 for an OPS of .691 in 24 games, with 23 hits in 89 at-bats, six doubles, a triple, a home run, 12 RBIs and seven walks to 16 strikeouts.

Pittsburgh first recalled Peguero on May 2, as they needed infield help when shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa went on the 10-day injured list with lower body discomfort.

Peguero made three starts for the Pirates, before going back down to Triple-A after Kiner-Falefa came back off the injured list. He slashed .247/.314/.367 for an OPS of .681in 48 games, with 41 hits in 166 at-bats, eight doubles, four home runs, 24 RBIs and 17 walks to 41 strikeouts with Indianapolis.

The Pirates then recalled Peguero on July 18 after the All-Star break and two days after they traded Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals for infielder Cam Devanney on July 16. 

He played in 29 games for the Pirates during his second stint, slashing .197/.269/.380 for an OPS of .650, with 14 hits in 71 at-bats, a double, four home runs, eight RBIs, four stolen bases and six walks to 22 strikeouts.

Peguero started seven games and played nine contests at first base, regularly serving as the right-handed batter for an opposing left-handed pitcher, with Pirates manager Don Kelly putting him there in place of left-handed hitting first baseman Spencer Horwtiz.

He also made four starts at second base, as well as 10 starts and 14 appearances at shortstop during this stint with the Pirates.

Peguero had the best game of his career in the 8-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Aug. 2, as he hit three home runs, totaling all five runs in the defeat for the Pirates.