Alexander Canario: Everything you need to know

The Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Canario to a contract Sunday, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports. Canario was non-tendered by the Pirates last month after posting a .611 OPS in 87 games for Pittsburgh during the 2025 season. The 25-year-old has slashed just .229/.283/.368 during his limited major-league opportunities and will now try his luck in Japan.

The Pirates non-tendered Canario on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports. Canario was DFA'd by the Pirates on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man for a wave of prospects, and he'll now lose his place in the organization altogether. The 25-year-old may have to settle for a minor-league deal in free agency after slashing just .218/.274/.338 over 234 plate appearances during his first extended look in the bigs.

The Pirates designated Canario for assignment Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Canario slashed .218/.274/.338 with 20 RBI and 25 runs scored across 234 plate appearances with the Pirates in 2025. He'll now end up as one of the roster casualties necessary to clear room for the six prospects Pittsburgh added to its 40-man Tuesday.