Pirates claim INF Wood off waivers

The Pirates have claimed infielder Brandon Wood off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, adding another option to their struggling left side of the infield.

Wood, who was 2-for-14 with a double in six games this season, was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday. A former first-round pick, Wood has played parts of the last five seasons with the Angels and has 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 173 games. He is a career .168 hitter.

Pirates shortstop Ronny Cedeno is hitting .170 and second-year third baseman Pedro Alvarez .212. Alvarez, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, was hitting .177 before he went 3-for-4 with his first home run Thursday.