Pirates Claim Versatile Infielder Off Waivers From Marlins

The Pittsburgh Pirates used their off day Monday to tweak their roster.

The Pirates announced they claimed Ronny Simon off waivers from the Miami Marlins and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room for Simon on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated veteran reliever Tanner Rainey for assignment.

Simon, 25, bounced around in the minor leagues for the last several seasons before breaking through to the majors this year with the Marlins. Simon made his big-league debut April 21 and played 19 games for Miami, in which he batted .234 with no home runs and five RBIs.

Simon showed promise in the minors with his bat, and the Pirates certainly will look to tap into that potential. The switch-hitter batted a blistering .354 with one home run and nine RBIs in just 15 games with Triple-A Jacksonville this year. Last season, when Simon was in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, he hit .283 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs in 130 games with Triple-A Durham.

The Pirates have to like Simon’s versatility as he’s able to play both the infield and outfield. He played three different positions — second base, shortstop and left field — in the field for the Marlins while also serving as a designated hitter on occasion. Simon’s eight starts at second were the most of any position he played. He also has experience playing third base in the minors.

Simon originally signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2018 as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Simon was then traded by both the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks in his career before electing free agency from the Rays at the end of last season.

Rainey made 11 appearances for the Pirates in his first season with Pittsburgh. He allowed nine runs in 7 2/3 innings.

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