Pirates to extend Doumit's contract

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Ryan Doumit won the starting catching job for Pittsburgh last season and now the Pirates are rewarding him with a three-year contract.

The Pirates also will have options on Doumit for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The deal won't be official until Doumit completes a physical.

Doumit started out as a backup to Ronny Paulino last season but went on to take over the starting role, hitting .318 -- best on the team -- with 15 home runs and 69 RBI in 116 games.

The Pirates traded Paulino to the Philadelphia Phillies this month for catching prospect Jason Jaramillo.

In four seasons in the majors, all with Pittsburgh, Doumit has played in 335 games with a .278 average. He has hit 36 home runs and driven in 153 runs.