CINCINNATI — Aramis Ramirez will make his 2,174th career start tonight, but his first at first base. The 37-year-old will bat cleanup and play first for the Pirates in a 7:05 game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
The Pirates signed Ramirez as an amateur free agent in 1994 and has played only third base and designated hitter — save one start as shortstop for Class AAA Nashville in 1998 — over the past 21 years in the majors and minors.
Ramirez is batting .258 with five home runs and 26 home runs in 35 games since being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Pirates July 23.