The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Jose Contreras on a minor league deal, with an invitation to Spring Training. He will report to Pirates training camp on Sunday. The 41-year-old native of Cuba had off-season elbow surgery and will be rehabbing during Spring Training.
Contreras has a 78-67 career record in 292 games, 175 of those as a starter. The ten-year veteran has pitched for the Yankees, Rockies, White Sox and most recently, the Phillies. In 2012, he had a 5.27 ERA in 13.2 innings over 17 relief appearances, with three walks and 15 strikeouts. His last full season in the majors was 2010 for the Phillies, when he appeared 67 times in relief and had a 3.34 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 56.2 innings. He also had four scoreless appearances during the post-season that year.
