Pirates Sign Pitcher Clayton Richard To Minor League Contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp.

The 31-year-old Richard went a combined 1-2 with a 5.91 ERA (21.1ip/14er) in four starts last year between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks minor league system.

Richard was originally selected by the White Sox in the eighth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. He made his big league debut in 2008 with Chicago before being traded to San Diego on July 31, 2009. In 2012, he established a career-high in innings pitched (218.2) while tying his career-highs in both wins (14) and starts (33).

Since breaking into the big leagues in 2008, he has posted a career record of 46-47 with a 4.33 ERA (773.1ip/372er) in 147 appearances (129 starts).