The Pirates added minor league outfielder Austin Meadows to their 40-man roster today to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. They also traded shortstop Gift Ngoepe, the first African-born player to reach the major leagues, to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later or cash.
The Pirates also added right-handers Luis Escobar and Dario Agrazal to their 40-man roster, which is now at 38.
Meadows, 22, had a .311 on-base percentage and .359 slugging percentage in 312 plate appearances with Class AAA Indianapolis this season. He hit .250 with four home runs.