Gaby Sanchez popped a pair of solo homers against the Orioles on Friday.

While there was some speculation that Sanchez might be non-tendered, the Pirates opted to pay Sanchez $1.75 million to stick around as a first baseman against left-handers. An expanded role might come later if he produces.

Pirates avoided arbitration with 1B Gaby Sanchez by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

He'll have a chance to earn more with incentives. Sanchez, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, batted a disappointing .217/.279/.341 in 2012. He's expected to platoon at first base with Garrett Jones in 2013.

The Pirates are expected to tender Gaby Sanchez a contract prior to Friday's deadline.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review deduced as much after the team scheduled Sanchez for the club's Winter Caravan. Sanchez is a first-time arbitration-eligible player, so his salary shouldn't be too out of hand. The 29-year-old batted just .202/.250/.306 for the Marlins in 2012 before being dealt to Pittsburgh, where he posted a much more respectable .241/.323/.397 batting line. He should continue to platoon at first base with Garrett Jones.

Gaby Sanchez hit a solo homer on Saturday, accounting for all of the Pirates' offense in a loss to the Astros.

He launched the solo shot off Dallas Keuchel in the second inning. In 43 games since coming over in a trade from the Marlins, Sanchez is hitting .271 (26-for-96) with four homers and 11 RBI for the Pirates.

Gaby Sanchez belted a pinch-hit, two-run homer in a losing effort against the Reds on Tuesday night.

With Garrett Jones enjoying a strong offensive season, Sanchez's at-bats have been sporadic over the past month or so. He hit for the pitcher's spot in the seventh inning of this one, and made the most of his chance by hammering a Mike Leake offering over the wall in left field. Sanchez is now hitting .222 with six homers and 25 RBI on the year.

Gaby Sanchez hit a solo homer in Wednesday's loss to the Padres.

It was one of just two runs scored by the Pirates, as they were swept in the three-game series. Sanchez is batting .277 with one homer over 47 at-bats since arriving in Pittsburgh.

Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM reports that the Pirates have acquired first baseman Gaby Sanchez from the Marlins.

This confirms a report by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, who mentioned that the Marlins will get Gorkys Hernandez and a competitive-balance pick in return. Sanchez is hitting .202/.250/.306 with two homers and a .556 OPS in 196 plate appearances in the majors this season, but the Pirates are hoping they can catch lightning in a bottle down the stretch.

Marlins optioned 1B Gaby Sanchez to Triple-A New Orleans.

Sanchez belted a game-tying homer in the ninth off Milwaukee's John Axford in Wednesday's win, but with Carlos Lee added to the roster, he's no longer needed. The 28-year-old is batting just .202 with three homers in the big leagues this season.

Marlins recalled 1B Gaby Sanchez from Triple-A New Orleans.

He's in the lineup Sunday, batting sixth and playing first base. Sanchez was sent down last month after batting just .197/.244/.295 with one homer over 131 plate appearances, but he'll get another shot after sporting a .310/.494/.483 batting line with three longballs in 19 games for New Orleans. He figures to see the majority of starts at first base and can be re-inserted into NL-only lineups.

Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes that Austin Kearns' hamstring injury could mean Gaby Sanchez will return from Triple-A New Orleans "sooner rather than later."

Kearns was the designated lefty-masher for the Marlins this season, so now the team is particularly vulnerable against southpaws. While Sanchez was a disappointment all around before his demotion, he owns a .900 career OPS against left-handed pitching. Logan Morrison and Greg Dobbs will get most of the playing time at first base for now while Chris Coghlan plays left field.

Marlins optioned 1B Gaby Sanchez to Triple-A New Orleans.

Sanchez, an All-Star last year, was spectacular for the first few months of the 2011 season but he has been a well below average regular since then. He struggled over the spring and carried the offensive woes into the season, batting .197 with one homer before Miami sent him packing. Logan Morrison could be switched to first base, where his defense would at least be viable, while Sanchez works out his kinks on the farm. Miami must be kicking themselves for not selling high on Sanchez over the winter.

Gaby Sanchez is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Pirates.

Just a day off for the struggling Sanchez, who is hitting just .198 with one homer in 32 games this season. Greg Dobbs will make the start in his place and bat sixth against right-hander Kevin Correia.

Gaby Sanchez is not in the Marlins' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Giants.

It's just a routine day off for Sanchez, who is hitting .200/.235/.325 in 23 games this season. Greg Dobbs will start at first base as the Fish try for a three-game sweep.

Gaby Sanchez is not in Thursday's starting lineup.

It's simply a routine day off for Sanchez, who has hit just .244/.261/.356 in his first 12 games this season. Greg Dobbs is starting at first base against the Cubs.

Gaby Sanchez hit an RBI double off of Brandon Lyon in the 11th inning Friday to give the Marlins a 5-4 victory over the Astros.

Sanchez finished the night 3-for-5 with that all important game winning RBI. He's come out of the gate slow this season, but this is exactly the type of thing that can get a hitter going. Though he's been dropped to seventh in the Marlins lineup, he still has the potential and the ability to drive in plenty of runs.

Gaby Sanchez went 0-for-4 on Wednesday, leaving him with a .215 average in 186 at-bats since the All-Star break.

Sanchez looked like a legitimate All-Star candidate for the first two months, but he's been a below average regular since. The Marlins should seriously think about trading him this winter so that they can improve their outfield defense by putting Logan Morrison at first base.

Gaby Sanchez (hamstring) doubled in his return to the lineup Friday.

Sanchez was 1-for-4 in his return to the lineup. He missed the previous three games with left hamstring tightness.

Gaby Sanchez is out of the Marlins' lineup for the third straight day Thursday.

Sanchez remains day-to-day with left hamstring tightness. Wes Helms will make the start at first base Thursday and bat seventh against John Lannan and the Nationals.

Gaby Sanchez was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Nationals due to a tight hamstring.

Greg Dobbs will take his place at third base and bat third against right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. It's probably safe to call Sanchez day-to-day right now.

Gaby Sanchez homered twice and tallied four RBI Saturday in the Marlins' 8-5 defeat of the Mets.

Sanchez launched a two-run shot in the sixth inning and another two-run shot one frame later. The 27-year-old has managed a healthy .847 OPS in 101 games this season and is now up to 16 total dingers on the season.