Pittsburgh, PA -- The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired catcher Benito Santiago and cash from the Kansas City Royals on Thursday in exchange for minor league pitcher Leo Nunez.

The 39-year-old Santiago was limited to just 49 games last season for the Royals after he suffered a fractured left hand when hit by a Geoff Geary pitch during a game at Philadelphia on June 18. He hit .274 in 2004 with six home runs and 23 RBI.

Santiago is a 19-year major league veteran and has caught 1,911 contests, good for seventh all-time. He is a five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner.

During his big league career, Santiago has played for the Padres (1986-1992), Marlins (1993-1994), Reds (1995 and 2000), Phillies (1996), Blue Jays (1997-1998), Cubs (1999), Giants (2001-2003) and Royals (2004).

He made his major league debut with San Diego in 1986 and captured the NL Rookie of the Year with the Padres in 1987. Santiago owns a lifetime batting average of .263 with 217 homers and 920 RBI in 1,972 games.

The 21-year-old Nunez spent the 2004 campaign with Single-A Hickory and went 10-4 with a 3.06 ERA and one save in 27 games (20 starts).