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The Pirates will release outfielder Daniel Nava, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
UPDATE: Adam Berry of MLB.com adds the Pirates hope to sign Nava to a new deal.
The Pirates did indeed release Daniel Nava, as @ChrisCotillo said, but hope to re-sign him. He’s rehabbing after back surgery.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 20, 2018
Nava, 35, was signed to a minor-league deal in the offseason after a solid 214 plate appearances (.301/.393/.421, 4 HR) with the Phillies in 2017. However, in late February he underwent back surgery, which was to keep him out 10 to 12 weeks.
Nava was more of a bench piece and wasn’t as affected by the Corey Dickerson acquisition as was Michael Saunders, who was promptly set back free. Both ex-Phillies outfielders will be fondly remembered in Pittsburgh.
Earlier Tuesday the Pirates optioned Max Moroff and Nick Kingham to Triple-A and reassigned eight others to minor-league camp.