Pirates sign free agent Roberto Hernandez

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed free-agent reliever Roberto Hernandez for 2006, the team said Thursday.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the deal last week. Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Littlefield made the official announcement Thursday.

The 41-year-old Hernandez was 8-6 with a 2.58 ERA and four saves as a set-up man for the New York Mets in 2005. In a 15-year big league career, he is 64-65 with a 3.33 ERA and 324 saves for the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

The Pirates designated pitcher Matt Peterson for assignment to make room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster.