Jose

Pirela

Pirela played six seasons in the majors with the Yankees, Padres and Phillies from 2014 to 2019. He’s opted to return for a third straight campaign in Korea and can earn up to $1.7 million this upcoming season.

Pirela played six seasons in the majors with the Yankees, Padres and Phillies from 2014 to 2019. The 32-year-old infielder/outfielder spent one season with the Hiroshima Carp before latching on with the Lions last offseason.

He’ll get a $100,000 signing bonus, a $500,000 guaranteed salary, and he can add on up to $200,000 through performance-based bonuses. Pirela spent time with the Yankees, Phillies, and Padres between 2014-2019 before heading over to Japan last winter and slashing .266/.312/.411 in 99 games for the Hiroshima Carp.

Pirela is headed to play for a team in Japan. The utility player has hit .257/.308/.392 over parts of six seasons in the majors.

Pirela started in left field and batted eighth for the Phils on Tuesday, and in the fourth inning he caught a hanging Dallas Keuchel slider and walloped it off the second deck facade for a two-run dong. The homer was his first in nine major league games this year, split between the Padres and Phillies. He was part of the club’s September call-ups and will see very limited action down the stretch.

Sean Rodriguez will start at the hot corner while Jose Pirela will get a start in left field. Meanwhile, Adam Haseley is on the bench. Lefty Dallas Kecuhel is on the hill for Atlanta.

Pirela was acquired from the Padres in late July and will function in a utility role in September. The 29-year-old owns a .258/.307/.390 batting line in the majors.

Pirela was designated for assignment by the Padres early in the week. He will serve as emergency depth for the Phillies and could get called up for the September stretch run. He has played in 290 major league games for the Yankees and Padres since making his debut back in 2014. He was putting up big numbers in the minors this year, although it was in the Pacific Coast League, which is a paradise for hitters.

Pirela was surprisingly productive for the Padres a couple years ago but has struggled at the major league level since then. He has continued to crush the ball in the minors and does offer a little defensive versatility, so perhaps there will be interest on waivers.

Pirela is over his oblique injury but will stay in the minors rather than rejoin the big club.