The Pittsburgh Pirates reassigned catcher
Tyler Heineman to Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned right-hander
Yerry De Los Santos to Indianapolis on Tuesday. The team also released catcher
Kevin Plawecki from his minor-league contract. Heineman, 31, will open the year in the minors as catching depth for the organization behind
Austin Hedges and
Jason Delay. He's hit just .214 with one home run and 12 RBI in 82 career games with the Pirates, Giants, Marlins and Blue Jays. De Los Santos, 25, had a 4.91 ERA (4.01 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, three saves and 26 strikeouts in 25 2/3 relief innings in his major-league debut for Pittsburgh in 2022. He should get another shot in the Bucs' bullpen at some point in 2023.