Mariners claim former Pirates OF Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers
The Seattle Mariners claimed former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers Wednesday, reuniting him in the same city with his brother.
Smith-Njigba, 24, started in right field for the Pirates on Opening Day in Cincinnati last season.
The Pirates designated him for assignment Jan. 31 to make room on the 40-man roster for reliever Aroldis Chapman, who signed a one-year contract for $10.5 million.
One of four players acquired from the New York Yankees in the trade for pitcher Jameson Taillon in January 2021, Smith-Njigba made his major league debut in June 2022 against the St. Louis Cardinals but suffered a season-ending fractured wrist in his third game.
Smith-Njigba used a strong spring training to earn a spot on the 26-man roster but batted .125 (4 for 32) in 15 games and spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.
His younger brother, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, just finished his rookie season as a wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the first round.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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