Sanchez has signed a deal with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports. Sanchez wasn't tendered a contract from the Pirates back in December, but will look to revitalize his career overseas. The 31-year-old has produced exactly seven home runs in three consecutive seasons, and owns a career slash line of .254/.332/.413. Few players return from overseas to make a major fantasy impact, but his age doesn't quite rule out a Major League comeback down the road.

The Pirates declined to tender Sanchez a contract, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports. Pittsburgh was unable to find a trade taker for Sanchez, and after designating him for assignment Monday, this does not come as a surprise. He should be able to catch on with another team in free agency as a right-handed platoon option at first base, although his fantasy upside will be limited as he hit just seven home runs last season for the third year in a row.

Sanchez was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Monday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Sanchez served as a platoon first baseman with Ike Davis for much of last season, but lost his spot on the 40-man after a .229/.293/.385 batting line with seven home runs and 33 RBI in 2014. He could be claimed off waivers or traded to another team, but also could end up in the minors likely with an invite to spring training.

The Pirates will play Sanchez at first base Friday, even though Milwaukee is starting the right-handed Yovani Gallardo. Sanchez is batting .242 (8-for-33) with two homers and six RBI in his career against Gallardo, giving him better numbers than his two competitors Ike Davis (0-for-8) and Pedro Alvarez (2-for-29) against the Brewers pitcher.

Sanchez went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI in Saturday's loss to Washington. Making his typical start against a lefty, Sanchez paced the Pirates' offense Saturday night. Even in a situation where he's platooned, Sanchez has hit just .234/.301/.405 this season.

Gaby Sanchez went 2-for-2 with a homer and two RBI as the Pirates topped the Mets on Monday. Sanchez kick-started the Bucs' late comeback with a pinch-hit solo home run off Mets reliever Scott Rice in the top of the eighth inning. He then added an RBI single in the top of the ninth. The 30-year-old backup first baseman has an impressive .882 OPS with five homers and 12 RBI in 37 games this season.

Gaby Sanchez homered off Yovani Gallardo in Thursday's loss to the Brewers. Sanchez got a rare start over Ike Davis against a right-hander in part because of his superior numbers against Gallardo, and it paid off. It was his first start since May 2, as the Pirates have faced nothing except righties lately.

Gaby Sanchez went 4-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI triple, but the Pirates lost in 10 innings to the Orioles on Thursday. Sanchez hadn't done much in the average or on-base departments but his four-hit day in the second half of Thursday's double-header boosts his slash line up to .275/.327/.588. The Pirates have been in need of an upgrade at first base, but Sanchez has been getting it done from the right side.

Neil Walker and Gaby Sanchez hit back-to-back homers twice Monday before the game between the Pirates and Cubs was suspended due to rain with the score 7-7 after six innings. The game will pick up where it left off at 5:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. Before play concluded tonight, 10 homers were hit, including six by the Pirates. Starling Marte and Travis Snider also went deep for Pittsburgh. Sanchez's homers were his first two of the year, and it bodes well that he's having the big game in a start against a (usually) tough righty in Homer Bailey. He might get a crack at regular playing time at first base.

While Travis Ishikawa is expected to make the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Gaby Sanchez will still see the bulk of the playing time at first base. As a left-handed swinger, Ishikawa would theoretically serve as the long side of a platoon, but it won't be your classic platoon situation. Sanchez will be in the lineup most days after batting .290/.371/.419 this spring. The 30-year-old has hit just .234/.319/.369 over the last two seasons and shouldn't be counted on outside of NL-only leagues.