Dodgers sign Paul Maholm to one-year contract
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm to a one-year contract.
Maholm, 31, has posted double-digit victories in both of the last two seasons and has gone 76-95 with a 4.28 ERA in nine Major League seasons with the Pirates (2005-2011), Cubs (2012) and Braves (2012-13). Since 2006, he ranks among the National League leaders in starts (236, 4th), innings pitched (1444.1, 4th), wins (73, 18th) and strikeouts (924, 15th). During the course of his career, Maholm has been especially tough against left-handed hitters, limiting lefties to a .225 batting average, a .287 on-base percentage and a .318 slugging mark.
Last year with Atlanta, the Mississippi native won seven of his first 11 decisions and finished the season with a 10-11 record and a 4.41 ERA in 26 starts. Maholm allowed just nine extra-base hits to left-handed hitters, while holding lefties to a .226 batting average (35-for-155) with 35 strikeouts and just six walks.
Maholm played three years of college ball at Mississippi State before he was selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. He resides in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with his wife, Jessica, and son, Wyatt.
To make room for Maholm on the 40-man roster, the club placed left-handed pitcher Scott Elbert on the 60-day disabled list.