PITTSBURGH -- Jason Rogers will remain in the Pirates organization after being removed from the roster two weeks ago.
Rogers was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday. The infielder was taken off the 40-man roster on Dec. 23 to clear a spot for right-hander Nefi Ogando. Rogers has been playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic for Tigres del Licey.
Last offseason, the Pirates acquired Rogers from the Brewers for two prospects: center fielder Keon Broxton and right-hander Trey Supak. The mid-March signing of David Freese essentially left Rogers without a role in Pittsburgh, and he spent most of the year in Triple-A.
Rogers, who started three games for the Pirates, went 2-for-25 (.080) with seven walks. He batted .263/.338/.371 with six homers and 40 RBIs in 105 games for Indianapolis. The 28-year-old seemed to break out for the Brewers in 2015, hitting .296 with an .808 OPS in 169 plate appearances. The Pirates wound up paying a significant price for Rogers, as the 26-year-old Broxton posted a .784 OPS and 2.1 WAR in 75 games for Milwaukee. Supak is the Brewers' No. 30 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com.
While Rogers went unclaimed, the Pirates lost Willy Garcia on Friday to the White Sox, who claimed the outfield prospect off waivers. Garcia's stock may have fallen last season in Triple-A, as he hit .245/.293/.366 with 131 strikeouts and 31 walks over 499 plate appearances.