PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates continued to reshape their outfield Tuesday, sending fan favorite Nyjer Morgan and backup Eric Hinske out of town less than a month after ditching All-Star Nate McLouth for prospects.
Morgan and relief pitcher Sean Burnett went to the Washington Nationals in exchange for outfielder Lastings Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan.
In a separate deal, Hinske went to the New York Yankees in exchange for two low-level minor-league prospects. Outfielder Garrett Jones was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his roster spot.
Who's New?
- The 27-year-old Hanrahan has a strong arm and started the year as Washington's closer but lost his job because of wildness. He's 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA and 14 walks in just 32.2 innings -- although he also has 35 strikeouts, averaging more than one per inning.
- The 24-year-old Milledge is a five-tool player who was once the New York Mets' star prospect until questions about his maturity arose. He has struggled in Washington, where he started 2009 as the Nationals' Opening Day leadoff hitter and center fielder but was quickly sent to Triple-A. He's on a minor-league rehab assignment after having surgery on a broken finger.
"We have the confidence in our staff to help each of these players reach their high ceilings," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a written statement.- The 28-year-old Jones had a .307 batting average with 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 72 games with Indianapolis. The Bucs signed him as a non-roster player before the season.
Who's Gone?
- Morgan, 28, batted .277 with two home runs and 27 RBI this season. The speedy left fielder also had five triples and 18 stolen bases.
- Hinske, 31, hit .255 with one home run and 11 RBI in 106 at-bats as a part-time player. The Pirates signed him as a free agent before the season began.
Outfielder/catcher Eric Fryer and right-handed pitcher Casey Erickson -- a pair of 23-year-old prospects from Single-A -- were acquired in the Hinske deal.
Over the past month, the Pirates' starting outfield has undergone radical change with the call-up of top prospect Andrew McCutchen and the trades of McLouth and Morgan.
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