The Pittsburgh Pirates made several roster moves Wednesday, reshaping their roster prior to a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.
Anthony Alford, who started in center field on Opening Day, was designated for assignment after batting .083 (2 for 24) with 16 strikeouts and four walks in 11 games. The Pirates claimed Alford off waivers last August from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Rodolfo Castro, a 21-year-old switch-hitting infielder, was recalled from the alternate training site. He batted .136 (3 for 22) in 16 Grapefruit League games in spring training, but all three were round-trippers — one a Little League home run and another a grand slam. A three-time all-star in the minor leagues, Castro can play second base, shortstop and third base.
The Pirates also claimed outfielder Ka’ai Tom — pronounced kuh-EYE — off waivers from the Oakland A’s, who had selected him in the Rule 5 Draft last December. Tom batted .063 (1 for 16) in nine games with the A’s this season. The 26-year-old, who bats lefty, hit .290 with 27 doubles, 10 triples, 23 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2019, a season split between Double-A Akron (81 games) and Triple-A Columbus (51).
