The Pirates on Friday released corner infielder Jason Rogers, who intends to sign with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Central League. Rogers was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers Dec. 17, 2015, for outfielder Keon Broxton and pitching prospect Trey Supak.

Rogers, 29, spent the past two years playing primarily for Class AAA Indianapolis, with whom he had a .289 batting average and nine home runs over 69 games this season. Rogers came to the Pirates less than a month after they let Pedro Alvarez walk. Once they signed John Jaso later in the offseason and David Freese in spring training, there was no room for Rogers.

Rogers appeared in 23 games for the Pirates last season and went 2 for 25 and seven walks. Broxton, meanwhile, has .798 OPS in 151 games for the Brewers the past two seasons.

Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.

First Published: June 30, 2017, 8:50 p.m.