Pirates claim catcher Michael Perez off waivers and make additional roster moves

The Pittsburgh Pirates today claimed catcher Michael Perez off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 28-year-old Perez appeared in a career-high 38 games during the 2020 regular season and produced a career-high 13 RBI while playing with the Rays. He also went 2-for-7 with a home run and three RBI in eight postseason games, homering off New York’s Chad Green in Game Three of the Division Series on 10/7.

Perez also threw out six of the 19 baserunners (32%) attempting to steal against him during his 38 appearances (27 starts) behind the plate in 2020 and has caught 15-of-55 (27%) in his big league career.

The left-handed hitting native of Puerto Rico made his Major League debut with the Rays in 2018 following a mid-season trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was originally selected by Arizona in the fifth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft and spent seven full seasons in the D-Backs organization (2011-2017).

In addition to the claim of Perez, infielder/outfielder Kevin Kramer, catcher Luke Maile, right-handed pitcher Yacksel Ríos and outfielder Jason Martin were reinstated from the injured list and outrighted off the 40-man roster. Catcher John Ryan Murphy also cleared waivers and has been outrighted.

Lastly, the Twins claimed LHP Brandon Waddell and the Mets claimed RHP Nick Tropeano off the Pirates roster.

There are currently 36 players on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster.