Pirates lose Tucupita Marcano, 2 others on waivers, make trade as MLB offseason begins

Tucupita Marcano, who started 58 games at shortstop before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late July, was one of four players lost by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the MLB offseason began Thursday.

Marcano was claimed on waivers by San Diego, infielder Vinny Capra was picked up by Milwaukee and first baseman Alfonso Rivas was claimed by Cleveland. In addition, right-handed relief pitcher Cody Bolton was traded to Seattle for cash.

Marcano, a 24-year-old from Venezuela, returns to the team with which he made his major league debut in April 2021. He was acquired by the Pirates, along with outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-handed pitcher Michell Miliano, in a trade that sent All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to San Diego at the trade deadline in July 2022.

In 124 games over two seasons with the Pirates, Marcano batted .221/.267/.334 with 18 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 31 RBIs. His biggest moments came at the Los Angeles Dodgers in May 2022, when he hit home runs in back-to-back games as the Pirates swept the Dodgers in L.A. for the first time in two decades. Marcano hit .233 with a .633 OPS this past season, playing primarily shortstop after Oneil Cruz fractured his left ankle in April.

Marcano tore the ACL in his right knee while running around third base against the Padres on July 24, an injury that required surgery in early August. He was expected to miss most of the first half of the 2024 season while recovering from the injury.

Bolton, 25, was the Pirates’ sixth-round pick in the 2017 draft. He went 1-0 with a 6.33 ERA, 22 strikeouts and 15 walks in 21.1 innings last season.

Rivas, 27, was sent to the Pirates by San Diego in the Rich Hill deal at the trade deadline. He played 40 games, slashing .234/.305/.436 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

Capra, 27, was acquired from Toronto in a trade for catcher Tyler Heineman last April. He played nine games for the Pirates at second and third base and went 3 for 21 with a double at the plate.