The Pittsburgh Pirates have made the Erik Bedard signing official, per a team press release. To make room on the 40-man roster, Jason Jaramillo has been designated for assignment. The Pirates have ten days to trade, waive, or release Jaramillo. If he clears waivers, he could be outrighted to AAA.
Bedard has the potential to be a big addition to the Pirates rotation. When healthy he’s easily the best starter on the staff, capable of putting up top of the rotation numbers. The problem is that he’s a big injury risk. His year by year problems:
2011: Missed 25 games with a sprained left knee. Missed 11 games later in the season due to the same left knee.
2010: Missed the entire season due to labrum surgery.
2009: Missed 25 games with a left shoulder injury. Was out from July 26th to the end of the season with left shoulder inflammation.
2008: Missed 10 games with a hip injury. Missed 3 games to back spasms. Went down for the season on July 10th with a left shoulder injury.
2007: Went down for the season on September 9th with a strained oblique muscle.
2006: No injuries.
2005: Missed 49 games with a left knee injury.
The injuries add a lot of risk to this move, although the move is potentially a high reward move because of Bedard’s skill level. If Bedard can just repeat his 2011 season and pitch 130 innings, this move will be well worth it. The injury history does raise the question as to whether the Pirates should add another pitcher. That wouldn’t be a bad route to take.