Centerfielder Jonathan Van Every, who appeared in seven games for the Red Sox this season but was lost for the season to knee surgery and released, has latched on with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Van Every was in Florida rehabbing his knee when he was designated for assignment, and subsequently released when the Red Sox needed a roster spot for Jed Lowrie. But it was expected that the Red Sox wanted Van Every back next year, and simply made the move because their roster was too crowded.

Van Every, however, has taken the opportunity to move on, hoping at an easier route to a big-league job once his knee is healthy.

Van Every told his Pawtucket manager, Ron Johnson, that he expects to get a chance to compete for a major league roster spot in 2010.

"That's the way he said it to me -- now, there's a lot of time between now and then. I just hope he gets healthy. He gets healthy, he's a real good player," Johnson said.

Van Every, 29, had a roller-coaster year, spraining his right ankle in spring training and missing most of March and April. On his first day back with Pawtucket, he hit a game-tying ninth-inning grand slam to key a dramatic PawSox victory.

The smooth defender was then called up to Boston to replace the injured Rocco Baldelli and played well, hitting .364 with a home run and three RBI in 11 at-bats. He even pitched a scoreless inning during a blowout loss to Tampa Bay, becoming the first position player in five years to pitch for the Red Sox.

But he was soon back on the disabled list with a knee injury, and underwent season-ending knee surgery at the end of June.

"You wish the guy the best. He played well for us, it's a situation which could work out better for him. Good luck to him," Johnson said.