The Pirates reassigned Easley to minor-league camp Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was some thought that the Bucs would take three catchers northm but the team instead stuck with starter Francisco Cervelli and backup Chris Stewart. Easley will likely start for Triple-A Indianapolis with Elias Diaz sidelined by a sore elbow.

Easley was outrighted from the 40-man roster, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Easley recorded just six at-bats with the Cardinals this season, mostly finding his way on the active roster due to an injury to Yadier Molina late in the season. The 29-year-old slashed a .251/.345/.337 in 279 at-bats with Triple-A Memphis this season and will likely get an opportunity to fight for the backup catcher job in spring training, but his fantasy value will continue to be mitigated until he gains more opportunities with the major league club.

Easley was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Easley was seldom used in his first stint with the major league club and could see the field even less considering that there are already three other catchers on the roster.

Easley was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday. The Cardinals will switch things up on the bench, bringing up Xavier Scruggs and Greg Garcia from Triple-A. He saw just three plate appearances with the Cardinals in three weeks on the roster.

Easley was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. Easley is getting on base at a .422 clip this year at Triple-A, but he has just three homers and two doubles in 128 plate appearances. Easley has not played any first base since 2012, but he may see the occasional start in the short term as the Cardinals await the return of Matt Adams (quad strain), who was placed on the DL Wednesday.

The Cardinals optioned Easley to Triple-A Memphis on Monday. Easley will head back to Memphis with fellow catcher Tony Cruz returning to the team following a stint on the paternity list. Easley will likely be at the top of the list should the Cardinals need to add a catcher to the roster again later this season.

Easley has been recalled from Triple-A Memphis and will serve as Yadier Molina's backup for the series against the Reds. Regular backup Tony Cruz is on paternity leave awaiting the birth of his child. He'll likely be back Monday at which point Easley should be optioned back down to Triple-A.

Easley was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster Monday. The move represents a due reward for the 28-year-old Easley, who hit .296/.359/.473 with 10 homers in just 80 games (312 PA) with Triple-A Memphis in 2014 yet did not receive a spot on the team's expanded September roster. He could push Tony Cruz for the top backup job with a strong showing in spring training, but as long as Yadier Molina is healthy, Easley will have to play second fiddle.

Cardinals signed C Ed Easley to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Easley, 27, has spent his entire career in the Diamondbacks' minor league system and batted .334/.394/.478 with six home runs and 49 RBI over 87 games this past season in Triple-A. He'll likely serve as minor league depth in 2014.