Pirates acquire Worley from Twins for cash

RADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates liked Vance Worley in 2011, when he was an 11-game winner with a 3.01 ERA for the Phillies. They liked him even on March 7, when they were personally knocking him around for seven hits and five runs in 1 1/3 innings of a Grapefruit League game.

So when the Minnesota Twins outrighted Worley in the wake of a horrid Spring Training, the Bucs seized the opportunity to acquire the 25-year-old right-hander in a cash transaction Tuesday.

Worley will report to Pirate City, get ready to join the rotation of Triple-A Indianapolis, and let the Bucs' reputed pitching doctors go to work on him.

"He's a guy we liked in the past, and someone our scouts continued to like, even through some of his struggles," said Pirates general manager Neal Huntington. "We might be able to help him get back on track. If we can, we've got somebody else who can help us on the big league level.

"We like his stuff, and we've got some people who might be able to help him. If we do, he'll be a nice addition. It's a worthwhile chance to take."

Having struggled since that 2011 debut in Philadelphia, Worley has a lifetime record of 19-18, with a 4.05 ERA in 63 games, including 56 starts.

That March 7 encounter with the Pirates hasn't even been his roughest day this spring. A few days prior to being cut by the Twins, Worley allowed 11 hits and seven runs in 2 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay. Overall, he has a 13.50 ERA in four appearances this spring.