PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t tender an offer to Lastings Milledge, who lost his job as a starting outfielder last season due to a lack of power.
Milledge, acquired from the Nationals in a four-player trade in 2009, hit .277 with four home runs and 34 RBIs last season. He was rarely used during the final two months of the season.
The Pirates bypassed salary arbitration by signing shortstop Ronny Cedeno and right-hander Jeff Karstens to one-year contracts. They also tendered offers to right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Joel Hanrahan, who likely will begin the 2011 season as the closer. Karstens will make $1.1 million, a raise from $475,000.
Not offered arbitration were Milledge, shortstop Argenis Diaz and left-handers Brian Burres and Donnie Veal. Veal could sign a minor-league contract.
