Pirates designate Todd Frazier for assignment

May 10—With first baseman Colin Moran on the 10-day injured list and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes on the 60-man IL, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in need of help at both corner infield positions.

It won't be coming from Todd Frazier.

The Pirates designated Frazier for assignment Monday to make room on the active roster for outfielder Ben Gamel, who was claimed off waivers. Gamel was activated for Monday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, the team for which Frazier was a two-time All-Star third baseman.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he expected Bryan Reynolds to play in center field and Phillip Evans at first base against the Reds on Monday at PNC Park. Shelton also said right fielder Gregory Polanco, who was placed on the 10-day IL, is expected to rejoin the club "within the next few days."

Frazier, 35, batted .086 (3 for 35) with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored in 13 games for the Pirates. Frazier didn't make their Opening Day roster but signed a minor league contract and spent the first three weeks of the season at their alternate training site before being promoted off the taxi squad April 22.

Gamel, 28, gives the Pirates another left-handed bat in the lineup. The six-year veteran has a career slash line of .259/.330/.385 with 70 doubles, 23 home runs and 126 RBIs.

Gamel was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 10th round in 2010 and played one season in the Bronx, followed by stints with the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians, where he batted .071 (1 for 14) in 11 games this season.

Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Kevin by email at kgorman@triblive.com or via Twitter .