Canaan

Smith-Njigba

Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment before Opening Day. The 24-year-old outfielder will provide organizational depth if he accepts the assignment to Indianapolis.

Smith-Njigba has been designated for assignment by the Pirates before and ultimately returned to the organization. He’s interesting enough where he could very well be on the move again.

Smith-Njigba, 24, showed off his tools during Grapefruit League play, hitting .200 (5-for-25) with three homers, five RBI and a pair of stolen bases. His time is coming soon, it just isn’t quite yet. Selby, on the other hand, struggled mightily during his spring action — registering an 11.25 ERA, 2.75 WHIP and a 4/4 K/BB ratio over his four frames. He should see action with the Pirates at some point during the 2024 season as well.

It was Smith-Njigba’s second homer of spring camp. Smith-Njigba hit .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate last season and was picked up by Pittsburgh in February after he was designated for assignment by the Mariners.

He’s back. Smith-Njigba returns to the Pirates’ organization just a few weeks after being claimed off waivers by the Mariners. The 24-year-old outfielder was removed from Seattle’s 40-man roster over the weekend and quickly snapped back up by his former organization.

Smith, who was scooped up off waivers from the Pirates earlier this month, has been jettisoned from Seattle’s 40-man roster to make room for the club to claim righty Levi Stoudt off waivers.

The Mariners add a left-handed hitting outfielder to replace the one they traded to the White Sox last week (Zach DeLoach). Smith-Njigba hit .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate last season. He has an option remaining, so he’ll likely go to Triple-A and compete with Cade Marlowe and Dominic Canzone to be the outfielder called up when Mitch Haniger gets hurt.

Smith-Njigba was actually the Pirates’ Opening Day right fielder last season, but he wound up getting just 37 plate appearances in 15 games, going 4-for-32. In Triple-A, he hit .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals in 105 games. We’re not sure he’s quite good enough to make it as a platoon corner outfielder against righties, but considering that he’s just 24 and he has an option left, it seems highly unlikely that he’ll clear waivers.

Smith-Njigba has been sent to the minors to make room for Osvaldo Bido to make a spot start on Wednesday night against the Cubs. The 24-year-old outfielder is batting .125 (4-for-32) with five RBI and one stolen base across 15 games this season in the big leagues.

Smith-Njigba will rejoin the Pirates ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Mets. The 24-year-old outfielder has four hits in 32 at-bats over 14 games this season in the majors.