The Pirates announced after the 5-4 win to the Tampa Bay Rays that infielder Pedro Ciriaco has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Rule 5 pick up Josh Rodriguez will make the 25-man roster and serve as the teams backup middle infielder.

Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that Ciriaco will bounce around in Triple-A as super utility guy, playing second base, shortstop, third base and center field.

This marks the fourth straight season the Pirates have kept a Rule 5 draft pick on the roster.

Langosch of MLB.com reports that there were several factors of why the Pirates chose to keep Rodriguez over Ciriaco. Cleveland has publicly stated that they would take Rodriguez back, if the Pirates did not decide to keep him on the 25-man roster. Ciriaco also has one option remaining.

Manager Clint Hurdle told Langosch of MLB.com, “We’ve got nothing to lose here. We need to try some things. We need to be creative and open-minded.”

Ciriaco batted .333 with four doubles, two RBI and three stolen bases in 26 games.

Rodriguez batted .303 with one home run, six RBI with one stolen base in 21 games.

Rodriguez told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, “It’s a big opportunity for me. I’ll play my role. I’ll come off the bench and basically do everything in my power to make the team better.”

*Photo credit: Derick Hingle