PITTSBURGH — Languishing near the bottom of the NL Central a year after making the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t wait any longer for struggling left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez to get it together.

The Pirates designated the 35-year-old veteran for assignment Thursday, less than 24 hours after Rodriguez gave up six runs in 1 2-3 innings in a 9-8 victory over Baltimore.

Rodriguez was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six starts this season. He spent time on the disabled list earlier in the year with a right knee inflammation. Though he insisted the knee was “OK” after his poor outing on Wednesday, Rodriguez allowed he was frustrated by his ineffectiveness.