Craig agreed Tuesday with the Korea Baseball Organization's Kiwoom Heroes on a one-year, $371,000 contract, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington previously said over the weekend that Craig planned to explore opportunities in Asia, so the 26-year-old's decision to move to the KBO doesn't come out of nowhere. Since being selected in the first round of the 2016 first-year player draft, Craig struggled to live up to expectations, as he'll move on from Pittsburgh having appeared in only 20 games with the big club while batting .203.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Craig has left Triple-A Indianapolis to explore playing opportunities in Asia, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Craig will likely remain on Indianapolis' temporary inactive list until he settles on a landing spot overseas. Given that he's an older prospect (he'll turn 27 years old in November) who was recently outrighted off the 40-man roster, Craig didn't appear to factor into Pittsburgh's long-term plans, so the decision to pursue work in Asia isn't overly surprising. The 2016 first-round pick appeared in 20 games and logged 69 plate appearances at the big-league level across the past two seasons, slashing .203/.261/.281 with a 33.3 percent strikeout rate.

Craig cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Friday, and he'll remain in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. Craig had a .217/.277/.300 slash line with 22 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances before being DFA'd.

Craig was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Craig had played an everyday role for the Pirates recently, but he was out of the lineup Thursday after Ke'Bryan Hayes was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. The 26-year-old slashed .217/.277/.300 with a home run, five runs and three RBI in 18 games this season, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be claimed on waivers. Right-hander JT Brubaker was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move.

Craig is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The return of third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (wrist) from the 60-day injured list Thursday could indirectly close the door on Craig's path to an everyday role. After sitting out against a right-hander (Brady Singer) in the Pirates' last game Tuesday in Kansas City, Craig will be on the bench versus another righty (Elieser Hernandez) on Thursday. Erik Gonzalez will pick up another start at first base now that Hayes has pushed him off the hot corner. Craig is slashing .217/.277/.300 over 65 plate appearances since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in mid-May.

Craig is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Royals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Craig has served as the Pirates' primary first baseman with Colin Moran (groin) and Phillip Evans (hamstring) both currently on the 10-day injured list. He'll get a breather Monday, as Erik Gonzalez shifts across the diamond and Wilmer Difo takes over at the hot corner.

Craig will start at first base and bat fifth Wednesday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 13, Craig has settled in as the Pirates' everyday first baseman while Colin Moran (groin) and Phillip Evans (hamstring) reside on the 10-day injured list. Craig will draw his sixth straight start Wednesday after going 3-for-19 with a solo home run and a 1:10 BB:K through his first five games with Pittsburgh.

Craig's contract was selected by the Pirates on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Craig made his major-league debut in 2020 and went hitless with a strikeout in four at-bats. He'll return to the big leagues after Phillip Evans (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list, and Craig could see playing time at first base while Evans is sidelined.

Pittsburgh reassigned Craig to its minor-league camp Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Craig received a call-up to the big leagues last August, but after being outrighted off the 40-man roster over the winter, he was a long shot to a win a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 26-year-old first baseman will likely handle an everyday role at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2021.

Craig cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A on Wednesday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering accomplished designated hitters are being non-tendered, Craig going unclaimed can hardly be a surprise, as he profiles best at the bottom of the defensive spectrum and is unproven against MLB pitching. He will provide organizational first base depth going forward.