7/29 12:26: Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com says the Pirates have released Donnelly.

7/25 15:59: According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates have designated reliever Brendan Donnelly for assignment.

“I didn’t see this coming,” said Donnelly, who was 3-1 with a 5.58 ERA in 38 outings. By cutting Donnelly now, the Pirates will avoid the possibility of having to pay him up to $1.65 million in performance bonuses.

Donnelly is making $1.35 million in base salary. If he clears waivers he will be sent to Triple-A.