The Pirates today released catcher Robinzon Diaz and outrighted pitchers Jeff Karstens and Justin Thomas to Class AAA Indianapolis.

All three were designated for assignment 10 days ago to make space on the 40-man roster, and all cleared waivers today. Diaz could not be outrighted because of his service time, so he became a minor league free agent with no apparent plan to return to the Pirates. He was unconditionally released. Karstens and Thomas remain the Pirates' property, and both will be invited to spring training.

That raises the number of non-roster invitees to three.

First Published: November 30, 2009, 9:00 p.m.