The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right handed pitcher Rick VandenHurk, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. VandenHurk recently elected free agency after refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A from the Cleveland Indians.
VandenHurk has 181 career innings pitched in the majors. In that time he’s posted a 5.97 ERA, an 8.8 K/9, a 4.7 BB/9, and a 1.6 HR/9 ratio. Most of his time has been spent as a starter. He’s 6′ 5″, 215 pounds, and turns 27 in May. He broke in to the majors at the age of 22 with the Florida Marlins, making 17 starts in 2007.
VandenHurk pitched for Baltimore last year, making 26 starts in Triple-A, with a 4.43 ERA in 154.1 innings. He also pitched nine innings in the majors, with an 8.00 ERA and a 7:8 K/BB ratio.
He will likely go to Triple-A with the Pirates, serving as minor league depth.