PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Veteran infielder Jose Hernandez, who spent the 2003 season with three teams, was released Wednesday by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hernandez, 34, who continued his alarming strikeout rate this season, batted hit .225 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 150 games with Pittsburgh, Colorado, and the Chicago Cubs. He began the year with the Rockies, then was dealt to Chicago on June 20 and sent to the Pirates on July 22.
A shortstop and third baseman, Hernandez ranked second in the National League with 177 strikeouts, marking the sixth straight season he reached at least 125. Last year with Milwaukee, he fanned 188 times, missing the major league record by one.
Also Wednesday, the Pirates acquired righthander Jason Boyd off waivers from Cleveland. Boyd, 30, went 3-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 44 relief appearances with the Indians this past season.
