The Pittsburgh Pirates have released Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, the National League club announced Friday, enabling the Japanese first baseman to seek other opportunities. Pittsburgh designated the 30-year-old former NPB slugger for assignment Wednesday in order to make room on the 40-man roster. The Pirates signed Tsutsugo to a $4 million contract this offseason, but he hit just .171 in 50 games with two homers, 19 RBIs and a .249 on-base percentage in 2022, his third year in Major League Baseball. He had dealt with a back injury that kept him out of MLB games for about six weeks and hampered his sw…