The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected 23-year old switch-hitting shortstop Gustavo Nunez from the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft. Nunez came into last year as the Tigers’ #23 prospect according to Baseball America. Nunez played in 96 games in A+AA-ball last year and he was 105 of 381 (.276 avg, .718 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 5 homers, 26 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He has now played in 464 games in his first five years in the minors and he was 484 of 1,819 (.266 avg, .669 OPS) with 281 runs scored, 13 homers, 165 RBIs and 110 stolen bases. Nunez is going to have a great chance to stick with the Pirates in 2012 as long as he doesn’t fall flat in spring training.

The Pirates have released 29-year old righty starting pitcher Ross Ohlendorf. Ohlendorf pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-3 with a 8.15 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP. Ohlendorf pitched in 64 games (all starts) in his four years with the Pirates and he was 13-27 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Ohlendorf was hurt most of last season, which explained his struggles, but the Pirates have better options in the rotation now and it cost him his job. He will likely sign a minor league deal with another team and get invited to spring training. Still, the Pirates shouldn’t miss him too much.

The Pirates have acquired 24-year old righty swinging 2B/SS/3B Yamaico Navarro from the Royals for 22-year old righty reliever/starter Brooks Pounders and 22-year old righty swinging infielder Diego Goris. Navarro played in 22 games for the Royals & Red Sox last year and he was 15 for 60 (.250 avg, .653 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. He has now played in 42 games in his first two years in the minors and he is 21 for 102 (.206 avg, .515 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 1 homer and 14 RBIs. Navarro’s versatility is going to give him a really good shot of being the Pirates’ utility infielder in 2012. Brooks Pounders pitched in 36 games (1 start) in A-ball for the Pirates last year and he was 5-5 with 3 saves, a 3.68 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Diego Goris played in 68 games in Rookie Ball last year and he was 93 for 266 (.350 avg, .898 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 5 homers, 46 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Last year was Goris’ 4th in Rookie Ball, so the numbers he put up are a tad tainted. I think the Pirates made a nice deal here as Navarro has a nice upside.

The Pirates have designated 29-year old switch-hitting catcher Jason Jaramillo for assignment. He played in 23 games for the Pirates last year and he was 14 for 43 (.326 avg, .751 OPS) with 1 run scored, 6 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Jaramillo played in 119 games in his three years with the Pirates and he is 79 for 336 (.235 avg, .621 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers, 38 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Jaramillo will likely reject a minor league assignment from the Pirates if he clears waivers. The Pirates won’t miss him too much as they have brought in a lot of new catchers already for the 2012 season.

UPDATE: (12/13/2011) - The Pirates have decided not to tender a contract to Jason Jaramillo for the 2012 season, making him a free agent.

The Pirates have designated 26-year old righty swinging shortstop Pedro Ciriaco for assignment. Ciriaco played in 23 games for the Pirates last year and he was 10 for 33 (.303 avg, .748 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He played in 31 games in his two years with the Pirates and he was 13 for 39 (.333 avg, .863 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The Pirates needed Ciriaco’s roster spot for Erik Bedard. They probably hope he will clear waivers and accept a minor league assignment, so the Pirates can keep him around for 2012.

UPDATE: (12/13/2011) - The Pirates have decided not to tender a contract to Pedro Ciriaco, making him a free agent.