The Pirates have announced they claimed catcher Matt Pagnozzi off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. To make room for Pagnozzi on the 40 man roster, Steven Pearce was transferred to the 60 day disabled list.
The 28 year old Pagnozzi had played seven games this season for the Rockies hitting .286 in 21 AB’s. He also batted .275 in 54 AAA games this year. Matt made his major league debut in 2009 with the St Louis Cardinals and has a .317 career average in 28 games. He was drafted in the 8th round of the 2003 draft by the Cardinals and his uncle is former major league Tom Pagnozzi, who played catcher for the Cardinals from 1987-1998.
Pagnozzi gives the Pirates an option at the catcher position for next season if they decide not to pick up Ryan Doumit and/or Chris Snyder’s 2012 club options.