The Pirates have made an addition to address their need behind the plate.
Pittsburgh signed free-agent catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year contract totaling $5 million, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Hedges, 30, hit only .163 in 105 games for the Cleveland Guardians last season, totaling seven home runs and 30 RBI. Making his MLB debut in 2015, Hedges played four and a half seasons for the San Diego Padres before being dealt to Cleveland.
An under-.200 lifetime hitter, Hedges’ best season was his third. In 2017, the righty batter and thrower recorded career highs in doubles (17), home runs (18), and RBI (55) while hitting .