Pittsburgh claims Brandon Wood off waivers

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to fill a hole in their lineup with a player hoping to revive his career.

Pittsburgh’s game against the Washington Nationals on Friday night was postponed due to rain, but the Pirates claimed infielder Brandon Wood off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Wood was formerly one of the game’s top prospects, but has struggled mightily in the major leagues.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle likes the fact Wood can play multiple positions, and said he will give him the opportunity to “re-ignite the swing.”

Friday’s game will be made up at 7:05 p.m. Monday on what was a common off day for both teams. Each team will move their starting pitchers up a day and stay with the same rotation.

Pittsburgh’s Jeff Karstens (1-0, 4.50) will face Livan Hernandez (2-1, 2.88) in what is now the series opener tonight.

Wood was rated as baseball’s No. 3 prospect by Baseball America in 2006 and was No. 8 the following year. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Wood has displayed a power stroke that has had him hit .284 with 161 home runs in 764 minor-league games — including 43 in 2005 in Single-A. He also is known as a more-than-capable defender, having played mostly shortstop and third base over 173 games in the majors.

But his offense hasn’t translated to the majors. A former first-round pick, Wood has played parts of the last five seasons with the Angels and has 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 173 games. He’s a career .168 hitter.

“I know things haven’t really [transpired] the way he hoped,” Hurdle said. “He’s a solid defender. He can play three positions. His bat is the question. The opportunity, probably, with the Angels probably wasn’t as long as he liked or what they would have liked to have given him.

“We’ll give him time in the batter’s box and see if we can help him make a difference, re-ignite the swing.”

Hurdle said Wood would play regularly — likely at shortstop in lieu of the struggling Ronny Cedeno, who’s hitting .170 with one extra-base hit in 53 at-bats. The Pirates’ hope is that a change of scenery will do Wood good.

“Sometimes, something as simple as that can help,” Hurdle said.