Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract with outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall. Rosenthal adds that Chisenhall’s contract comes with performance conuses for reaching various plate appearance thresholds.
Chisenhall, 30, has spent the last eight years with the Indians. In 2018, he played in only 29 games due to injuries to both calves. When he was in the lineup, though, he hit, batting .321/.394/.452 in a small sample of 95 plate appearances.
Chisenhall has mostly played the outfield in recent years but played a lot of third base early in his career and has also spent time at first base, so he certainly offers the Pirates some versatility. Right fielder Gregory Polanco underwent shoulder surgery in September, so Chisenhall will handle that spot until Polanco is healthy.