Rowdy Tellez is out of a job — and missing out on a massive payday to boot.
The Pirates designated the first baseman for assignment on Tuesday with just days left in the 2024 MLB season.
Tellez had signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract with Pittsburgh in December that included various incentives, including a $200,000 bonus if he reached 425 plate appearances this season, according to Spotrac.
With 421 plate appearances on the year, Tellez was just four turns in the box short of the bonus, adding insult to injury.
Tellez, 29, struggled mightily through the first two months of the season, hitting .177 with one home run through May.
He picked it up a bit over the summer, but overall, Tellez hit .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs while providing little on defense and the basepaths.
Tellez spent the first three-plus years of his MLB career with the Blue Jays before being dealt to the Brewers at the 2021 trade deadline.
He played in Milwaukee until the end of last year before being non-tendered by the team in the offseason.
The Pirates also designated Michael A. Taylor, who hit .193 in 113 games this season, for assignment on Tuesday as well.
The veteran outfielder had lost playing time after Oneil Cruz moved from shortstop to center field in late August.
With six games to go, Pittsburgh is 73-83, 13.5 games out of an NL wild-card spot, and will miss the playoffs for the ninth straight season.
