The Pirates will choose the outfielder's contract Billy McKinney Before their game on Monday against the Rangers, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (X link). The Bucs will need to do some work to make room for McKinney on the 40-man roster.
McKinney was acquired from the Yankees last December, and this will be his first major league stint in Pittsburgh this season. His first official appearance in the game will make it seven straight seasons of MLB action for McKinney, from his two games with the Blue Jays in 2020 to his career-high 116 games and 300 plate appearances split between the Brewers, Mets, and Dodgers. for the 2021 season. Most recently, McKinney is slated for 48 games with the Yankees in 2023, hitting .227/.320/.406 over 147 PA.
The left-handed hitter McKinney will add balance to the Pirates' right-leaning lineup, and any playing time he gets will likely come if the Bucs want to offer it. Michael A. Taylor or Bryan De La Cruz break against some right-handed pitchers. McKinney has spent most of his career as a cornerback but has also gotten some time in center field and even at first base, adding to his defensive portfolio in an effort to make himself more valuable to teams.
Pittsburgh's roster is still changing a bit after that Andrew McCutchen was placed on the injured list for 10 days yesterday. While McKinney won't replicate McCutchen's production or clubhouse presence, his addition brings more experience to the Bucs' overall team.
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