Pirela signed a one-year, $600,000 contract Wednesday with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization, the Yonhap News Agency reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old will remain in Asia for a second straight season after he spent the 2020 campaign in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball's Hiroshima Toyo Carp, with whom he batted .266 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI. Pirela, who previously appeared in 302 MLB games with the Yankees, Padres and Phillies from 2014 through 2019, could revisit a return to North America in 2022 if he fares well during his time in Korea.

Pirela was released by the Phillies on Friday in order to sign with a team in Japan, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pirela got into just 14 games last season with the Padres and Phillies. He'll turn 30 later this month and owns a career wRC+ of 88, so he was unlikely to make a significant impact if he attempted to stick around in the big leagues.

Pirela went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Pirela drew a rare start and took advantage by going yard against Dallas Keuchel in the fourth inning. He presumably drew the start ahead of Adam Haseley and Jay Bruce due to southpaw Dallas Keuchel taking the mound. However, he isn't likely to see regular playing time to close the season as Scott Kingery is also capable of shifting to the outfield in a situation where the team becomes shorthanded.

Pirela was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pirela was traded from the Padres to the Phillies at the end of July, and he's now in line to make his team debut after being promoted Tuesday. He's started 72 games in the minors this season in right field, but he's also seen time in left, center and at second base.

Pirela was traded from the Padres to the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for cash.

EDGE Analysis

He was designated for assignment by the Padres, but the Phillies clearly thought he was still worthy of being on a 40-man roster. Pirela, 29, hit .353/.401/.674 with 18 home runs in 55 games at Triple-A El Paso. He will report to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate.

Pirela was designated for assignment by the Padres on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Pirela has made just two appearances for the big club this season, going 0-for-5 with a trio of strikeouts in those appearances. The utility man owns a solid .353/.401/.674 slash line across 55 games with Triple-A El Paso this season, so he could draw some interest on waivers. Travis Jankowski (wrist) was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Pirela went 1-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts in Triple-A El Paso's win over Tacoma on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

With that, Pirela extended his hitting streak to 14 games. During that stretch he's slashing .393/.417/.911 with eight homers and a 31.7 percent K-rate. Pirela initially joined El Paso in late May on a rehab assignment after going down with an oblique injury in April, but he's now a regular member of the Chihuahuas' roster -- the Padres quietly optioned Pirela on June 8. The 29-year-old will have to bide his time and hope another major-league opportunity presents itself.

Pirela (oblique) has gone 12-for-30 with five home runs, two doubles, nine RBI and eight runs through the first eight games of his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso.

EDGE Analysis

Despite being sidelined since late April with the oblique injury, Pirela has shown no issues with generating power from his lower half during his week and a half of the farm. Pirela's 20-day rehab window will draw to a close June 18, but his recent form could prompt the Padres to bring him back before that date. Josh Naylor, who has reached base at a .239 clip while seeing spotty action since being promoted to the majors May 24, could be most at risk of demotion once Pirela is reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Pirela (oblique) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Pirela has been sidelined since April 24 with an oblique strain, so he'll likely need to appear in a handful of rehab games before being cleared to return from the injured list. The utilityman appeared in just two games with the Padres before landing on the shelf -- going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts -- and isn't guaranteed a spot with the big club once healthy.

Pirela was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with an oblique strain, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pirela appeared in just two games with the Padres before suffering the injury. Oblique injuries tend to linger, leaving Pirela's potential return date up in the air. Ty France was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.