Sunday, 06 January 2013 01:34

Written by Michael Sanserino

A tweet from MLBTradeRumors on Saturday evening shows the Pirates have released right-handed pitcher Rick van den Hurk, according to the team's transactions page. Van den Hurk made four appearances with the Pirates last season, posting a 13.50 ERA in 2 2/3 innings. 

The Pirates parting with Rick van den Hurk is no surprise. Van den Hurk was a surprise/nice story from the Indianapolis Indians' 2012 season. But he did not fit into the Pirates' short- or long-term plans. As the statistics indicate, he struggled in his brief tenure as a Pirate. 

According to the Pirates, the team released van den Hurk so he could sign with a foreign team, and in a tweet said they would have more information on van den Hurk's release this week. 

The Pirates needed to make a 40-man roster move to add LHP Francisco Liriano, whenever that deal becomes official. That should be this week, as the team tries to get the Dominican in town for a physical. 

Elsewhere around the league, the Rangers and Lance Berkman agreed to a one-year deal with an option for 2014. The deal is worht $11 million guaranteed.