The Pirates today acquired outfielder Jason Michaels and cash from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named.

Michaels will take the roster spot of outfielder Nyjer Morgan, who was optioned this afternoon to Class AAA Indianapolis.

Michaels, 32, began 2008 with Cleveland and batted .207 with nine RBIs in 21 games before the Indians designated him for assignment Tuesday.

In 632 career games, he has hit .277 with 37 home runs.

He is in the second year of a two-year, $4.25 million contract, with a $2.15 million salary this season. There also is a $2.6 million club option for 2009.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington did not disclose precisely how much of that salary Cleveland will pick up, but he did say, "It made it a very easy decision for us to get Jason."

The Indians cut Michaels largely because they were desperate for team-wide offense and decided to add Ben Francisco into a left-field platoon with David Delucci.

Huntington said the acquisition of Michaels came largely at the recommendation of manager John Russell and bench coach Gary Varsho, each of whom knew him from their days with the Philadelphia Phillies.

"This is a guy who brings a real, quality presence to the clubhouse," Huntington said. "He can play left and right field, and he can be adequate in center if Nate McLouth ever gets a day off."

Huntington said the Pirates would have recalled Kevin Thompson from Class AAA Indianapolis last week had he not developed minor wrist soreness. Thompson is batting .344.

Morgan, 27, batted .161 and made only three starts, mostly because the rest of the outfield has been, from an offensive standpoint, the most productive in Major League Baseball.

"We felt it was the best thing for Nyjer's continued development," Huntington said.

Morgan appeared to take it well.

"I'll be back. It's not the end of Nyj," he said. "Everybody's been hitting, all our outfielders, and there's nothing I can do about that."

Morgan's bunt single ignited the Pirates' three-run rally in the seventh inning today.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.