Ishikawa (back) is expected to rejoin the Pirates on Monday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ishikawa will provide the Pirates with depth at first base and the corner outfield spots, but isn't expected to see consistent playing time as the team heads down the final stretch.

Ishikawa (back) was able to run on the field Friday, Tom Singer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ishikawa was placed on the disabled list Aug. 23 with a lower back strain with an initial timetable targeting a return not long after the minimum 15 days. The 31-year-old appears to be progressing as expected, but could have a tough time finding at-bats once healthy.

Ishikawa is out of the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals. Starling Marte's return to left field Saturday will knock Ishikawa from the starting lineup. If Marte stays healthy, it's unclear how consistent of a role Ishikawa will have with the Pirates, although he does have the ability to play first base as well.

Ishikawa will make his first start Friday for Pittsburgh in 2015, hitting seventh against the Cardinals. With Starling Marte still unable to go, he'll get the nod in PNC Park's spacious left field. Ishikawa scored a game-winning run Wednesday and and his pinch-double was one of only three extra-base hits Thursday. He's 1-for-2 versus starter Lance Lynn and will get his first chance at multiple at-bats since Pittsburgh claimed him a week ago.

Ishikawa struck out in his season debut for Pittsburgh as a pinch hitter on Monday. He's expected to continue pinch-hitting while serving as an occasional first baseman or outfielder. He also serves as an insurance policy in the event Starling Marte heads to the disabled list. Most likely, his time with Pittsburgh will be measured in weeks as he's not expected to play a big role on the Bucs.

Ishikawa was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Sunday, MLB.com reports. Ishikawa was designated for assignment Friday, but he'll find a new home with the organization he played 15 games for in 2014. He'll serve as a backup first baseman and reserve outfielder in Pittsburgh, occupying a role similar to that of Corey Hart (shoulder) prior to landing on the DL. A corresponding move is expected to be announced following Sunday's game.

Ishikawa was designated for assignment Friday. Ishikawa logged just five at-bats during a nine-day stint in the majors, and it's evident the Giants would be better served by carrying another outfielder. Accordingly, OF Ryan Lollis has been recalled to replace Ishikawa, who is unlikely to find a significant big-league role while Brandon Belt is healthy.

Ishikawa was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. With Nori Aoki (leg) hitting the DL on Wednesday, Ishikawa will return from Sacramento to take his spot on the roster. Aoki figures to miss significant time with a fractured fibula, so Ishikawa may have a chance to stick around for a while at the big league level.

Ishikawa cleared waivers Sunday and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports. Last year's NLCS hero hasn't appeared in the majors this season after spending most of the first two months of the season on the DL with a back injury. Upon his activation last week, Ishikawa was promptly outrighted off the 40-man roster, and will now stick around in an organizational depth role. He'll likely earn a call-up in the event Brandon Belt suffers an injury.

Ishikawa (back) was reinstated from the 15-day DL Monday and immediately designated for assignment. Ishikawa was a big part of last season's World Series run, but will fall victim to a crowded roster at the Major League level, as his position is currently occupied by a healthy Brandon Belt. The 31-year-old now has a decision to make, as he can either accept his designation to Triple-A, or test the free agent waters hoping to land with a team in search of an extra left-handed bat off the bench.