PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates made some surprising roster moves on Thursday with release of outfielder Lastings Milledge and the signings of Jeff Karstens and Ronny Cedeno to one-year contracts.

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Pirates also offered tenders to pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Joel Hanrahan.

By not offering a tender to Milledge, the Pirates avoided arbitration with the outfielder, who could have reportedly earned up to $1 Million a year -- a raise of more than $500,000 from his 2010 salary of $452,000. 

Milledge 25, had a .277 batting average, 4 home runs, 34 RBIs in 113 games last season with the Pirates.

Karstens went 3-10 with a 4.92 ERA in 26 appearances last season and his one year contract will more than double his salary from last season to $1.1 million.

Terms of Cedeno's contract agreement were not immediately available, but the team retains a club option for 2012.