The Pittsburgh Pirates made the roster moves official that we heard after Wednesday night's game. Alen Hanson has been designated for assignment. Gift Ngoepe has been optioned back to Indianapolis (this happened yesterday). As reported here by Brian Peloza on Wednesday, both Max Moroff and Phil Gosselin have rejoined the Pirates and will be available for tonight's game against the New York Mets.
The DFA for Hanson is quite surprising, but his struggles, plus the limited playing time last year and this year given to him by Clint Hurdle, may work to the advantage of the Pirates. Hanson has the tools and youth on his side, but he has no Major League success and he's out of options, so any team that picks him up would have to keep him in the majors.