CINCINNATI, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds signed veteran relief pitcher Chris Hammond to a one-year contract Tuesday with an option for 2007.
Hammond, 39, had a 5-1 record with a 3.84 earned run average in 2005 with the San Diego Padres.
The left-hander has a 2.47 ERA in 221 relief appearances over the last four seasons, including a 7-2 record with a 0.95 earned run average in 2002 with the Atlanta Braves. That season he led all major league relievers in ERA and became just the third pitcher since 1900 with a minimum of 70 innings pitched to have an ERA below 1.00.
Hammond was a starter for the Reds from 1990-92. He has been used as a left-handed relief specialist during his 13 seasons. He held left-handed batters to a .164 batting average last season.
