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.

Sanchez struck out in a pinch-hitting role Saturday and is batting .182 (16-for-88) since the end of June.

One of Pittsburgh's weakest links is its first base platoon of Sanchez and Ike Davis. Sanchez entered Saturday hitting .265 (9-for-34) as a pinch-hitter but is just 2-for-16 in that capacity since May.

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.

Gaby Sanchez went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk versus the Rays on Saturday.

Sanchez was limited by a bruised knee earlier in the way, but he's 3-for-5 in two games since returning and 5-for-8 overall this spring. The Pirates still haven't given up on bringing in a left-handed-hitting first baseman, but if the season started tomorrow, Sanchez would likely have the job mostly to himself.

Gaby Sanchez (knee) felt fine while hitting in the batting cage Monday.

Sanchez banged up his right knee on a slide last Friday, but he's fine. The first baseman should return to Grapefruit League action shortly.

Gaby Sanchez was scratched from the Pirates lineup on Saturday due to discomfort in his right knee.

The injury isn't expected to be serious and he's considered day-to-day. He's currently the favorite to serve as the team's starting first baseman, but could wind up in a platoon situation.

Pirates avoided arbitration with 1B Gaby Sanchez by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million contract.

Sanchez hit .254/.361/.402 with seven homers for the Pirates last season and was arbitration-eligible for the second time. He's currently in line for everyday at-bats at first base, but the Pirates would like to bring in a platoon partner.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington indicated that he's searching for a platoon partner for Gaby Sanchez at first base.

The right-handed Sanchez owns a meager .242/.313/.387 career slash line against same-handed pitchers, but has slashed a robust .300/.399/.496 against southpaws. Huntington also said he believes Sanchez can improve against right-handed pitching, but we'd bet on history over the GM's word on this one. Sanchez's platoon split was even more pronounced in 2013 -- .987 OPS against lefties, .619 OPS against righties -- than it was before.

Gaby Sanchez launched a solo homer and collected a double in Saturday's victory over the Angels.

He finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Sanchez is hitting .237/.347/.439 with six homers and 22 RBI over 139 at-bats. He remains worthy of owning in NL-only formats.

Gaby Sanchez launched a solo homer and had three RBI in Thursday's victory over the Phillies.

Sanchez tied things up in the sixth with a solo shot off of Cliff Lee, and he got to Lee again the next inning with an RBI single. The first baseman took Lee and Cole Hamels deep in the series win, and he now has a longball in each of his last three starts. He could continue to be a solid NL-only play.

Gaby Sanchez doubled and launched a solo homer in Tuesday's win over the Phillies.

He also drew a walk, reaching base in three of four trips to the plate against Cole Hamels. Sanchez continues to start at first base against southpaws and has homered in each of his last two starts. He's rosterable in NL-only formats.

Gaby Sanchez hit a two-run homer Monday in the Pirates' 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Sanchez has four homers and a couple of doubles in 32 at-bats this spring. The showing should guarantee that he gets to start at first base against left-handers once the season starts. If he keeps hitting, he could play against righties too, with Garrett Jones logging more outfield time at Travis Snider's expense.