BRADENTON, Fla. — Jose Bautista, a third base prospect who was one of the Pittsburgh Pirates' top hitters this spring, was among five players cut Wednesday.

Bautista and catcher Ronny Paulino were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Reassigned to the minor league camp were three nonroster players, right-handers Britt Reames and Scott Strickland and infielder Mike Edwards. Edwards spent most of last season playing under Pirates manager Jim Tracy with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The moves left the Pirates with 30 players, five over the opening day limit.

Bautista hit .345 with four homers and nine RBI and played a variety of positions this spring, including all three outfield positions, second base and shortstop.