The Pirates also released outfielder Michael A. Taylor and promoted infielder Liover Peguero and outfielder Josh Palacios from Triple-A Indianapolis. The moves came with only six games left in the season and Pittsburgh eliminated from playoff contention.
The Pirates, who had signed Tellez to a one-year deal in the offseason, would have owed Tellez the performance bonus if he reached 425 plate appearances this season; he entered the day with 421.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said the bonus had "zero factor" in the decision to cut ties with Tellez, who had become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh during a summer surge. He said it was "a difficult part of the business."
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