The Boston Red Sox designated veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski for assignment Wednesday and purchased the contract of catching prospect Christian Vazquez from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Pierzynski, who signed a one-year deal with Boston in December, batted .254 with four home runs and 31 RBI for the Red Sox this season.
The 37-year-old is a .282 lifetime hitter and has hit 176 home runs with 831 RBI over 17 seasons behind the plate for the Twins, Giants, White Sox, Rangers and Red Sox.
He represented the American League in the 2002 and 2006 All-Star Games and won the Silver Slugger Award two years ago.
Vazquez, who is ranked as the No. 10 prospect in Boston's organization by MLB.com, will get the start at catcher Wednesday against the White Sox.
The 23-year-old has batted .279 with three homers and 20 RBI while throwing out 40 percent (19-of-48) of attempted basestealers for Pawtucket this season.
[SportsNetwork.com]
