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Marlins sign Free-Agent LHP Mark Buehrle

Lefty has recorded at least 200 innings in 11 consecutive seasons

MIAMI – The Miami Marlins today announced they have signed free-agent starting pitcher Mark Buehrle to a four-year contract for the 2012-2015 seasons. The announcement was made by Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest.

Buehrle, 32, is coming off his 11th-consecutive season with at least 30 games started, 10 wins and 200 innings pitched, all for the Chicago White Sox. He played under new Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen for the last eight seasons on the North Side, winning a World Series title with the Club in 2005.

In 2011, the left hander won 13 games for the third-consecutive season and pitched 205.1 innings, registering a 3.59 ERA. He also won his third consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Since his first full season in 2001, Buehrle leads the Majors in games started (362) and innings pitched (2425.1), while ranking fourth in wins (157) and complete games (27). He also leads baseball with 230 quality starts and 80 pickoffs, and has induced the most double-play grounders (274). He was selected to the American League All-Star team in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2009.

Buehrle has more career wins in Interleague play than any other pitcher, as he compiled a 24-6 record with a 3.32 ERA against the NL during his time in Chicago.

Buehrle has thrown two no-hitters in his career, including the 18th perfect game in Major League history, which came on July 23, 2009 against Tampa Bay in Chicago. That contest was part of three-game stretch in which he set the ML record for consecutive batters retired, setting down 45 straight hitters between July 18 and 28. His other no-hitter came on April 18, 2007 against Texas, also in Chicago.

He was selected by the White Sox in the 38th-round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft and made his ML debut in relief on July 16, 2000 against Milwaukee. 

Full statistics on Buehrle can be found at www.mlb.com. Additional information on the 2012 Marlins is available at www.marlins.com

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