Pirates acquire Kratz to replace injured Cervelli

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired catcher Erik Kratz from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations to help replace Francisco Cervelli, who was lost to the disabled list after undergoing surgery on a broken hamate bone in his left hand.

Cervelli is expected to return to full baseball activities in four-to-six weeks.

Kratz joins his fourth organization of the season.

He began the year with the San Diego Padres before being traded to the Houston Astros for Dan Straily. He was then released by Houston and caught on with the Angels two weeks ago.

The 35-year-old backstop owns a lifetime .210/.261/.381 slash line with 23 home runs and 69 RBIs during his seven seasons in the big leagues.