After a one year separation, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett on Friday.
The one-year deal is reportedly worth $8.5 million.
Burnett, 37, pitched for the Pirates from 2012-13, helping them to their first winning season and playoff appearance since 1992. In those two seasons, he compiled a 26-21 record, totaling 393 1/3 innings over 61 starts. He struck out 389 batters in that span and led the National League in strikeouts per nine innings in 2013.
In 2014, Burnett pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies but was not as successful. Despite leading the National League with 34 starts, he also led with 18 losses, 96 walks and a career high 109 earned runs allowed. He had an 8-18 record and 190 strikeouts in 213 2/3 innings. Last month, Burnett underwent hernia surgery after suffering an injury in April that he managed to pitch through during the season.
[SportsNetwork.com]
