Pirates P Wandy Rodriguez designated for assignment to make room for C Russell Martin

Wandy Rodriguez will make $13 million this season. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Pirates pitcher Wandy Rodriguez was designated for assignment on Thursday, according to the team's Twitter account.

The transaction was executed to make room for catcher Russell Martin, who had been on the disabled list since late April with a hamstring injury. Rodriguez will spend Thursday's game against the visiting Nationals on the MLB suspended list.

The 35-year-old pitcher is owed $13 million annual salary for 2014. Approximately $7.5 million of it will come from the Pirates with the rest coming from Houston, where he played from 2005-2012. 

The Pirates also expect to get closer Jason Grilli back over the weekend, who has been on the DL since April 21 with an oblique strain. On Wednesday, he said there's a "strong likely case" he will return vs. the Nationals on Saturday.

The Pirates are 19-26, with only the Cubs further back in the NL Central standings. .

The @Pirates have reinstated @russellmartin55 from the DL. To make room for Martin, Wandy Rodriguez has been designated for assignment.

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 22, 2014

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