Todd

Frazier

Frazier, a two-time All-Star selection, steps away from the game after an 11-year career that included stops with the Reds, White Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Mets and Pirates. The incredibly charismatic 36-year-old third baseman finishes with a .241/.318/.445 batting line, 218 home runs and 73 stolen bases across 4,949 plate appearances from 2011 to 2021.

After being released by the Pirates last month, Frazier recently played for Team USA in Olympic qualifiers and has now caught on with an independent league club. The veteran infielder will play in the Tokyo Olympics beginning in late July.

Ben Gamel will take his spot on the active roster. Frazier, 35, went just 3-for-35 (.086) during his time with the Pirates. It’s fair to wonder if this could be the end of the road for him. He’ll likely have to play in the minors to continue his career somewhere.

Added to the major league roster on Thursday, Frazier is 0-for-7 to begin his tenure with the Pirates. The veteran infielder should see starts at first base against left-handers (as he did against J.A. Happ on Friday), though that doesn’t leave much room for fantasy value.

Pittsburgh re-signed Frazier to a minor league contract at the end of spring training -- after releasing him a few days prior -- and now might have to rely heavily on the 35-year-old corner infielder in the extended absence of young third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who reaggravated his injured left wrist on Wednesday. Frazier did show well in the Grapefruit League this spring, but he slashed just .236/.302/.382 with four home runs over 45 games (172 plate appearances) in 2020. There’s not a lot to like here from a fantasy perspective.

The news was first reported by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and confirmed by Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic. It was a bit of a surprise that Frazier didn’t make the Opening Day roster, but he’s agreed to go to the alternate training site and stay ready in case a need arises. We’re guessing that will happen eventually.

Frazier exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract last week after being informed that he wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster. The veteran infielder is still seeking a guaranteed job elsewhere but could wind up back in Pittsburgh if he’s willing to go to the alternate site for a while.

The 35-year-old exercised the opt-out clause in his contract on Friday, presumably after being informed that he wouldn’t be a part of the Pirates Opening Day roster. He held his own at the dish during Grapefruit League play, slashing .250/.353/.996 with three homers and six RBI. Frazier said Friday that he has every intention on continuing his playing career and will find the best fit.

Frazier missed a handful of exhibition games due to lower back tightness, but it never seemed to be a serious concern. The 35-year-old projects to work in a corner-infield platoon this season for the Pirates.

Will Craig will replace Frazier in the lineup, batting fifth. Pirates manager Derek Shelton stated that Frazier “woke up this morning stiff. He said he slept wrong on it. Driving down here two hours, getting him in a game, it was probably better off just having him stay back.” The 35-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Pirates in late-February as is expected to be a weak-side platoon partner for Colin Moran at first base. Frazier can be largely ignored in fantasy outside of the deepest of formats.