Pirates sign 6 to Minors deals with ST invite
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Pirates on Monday signed six Minor League free agents, including two pitchers who spent last season in their organization, and invited them to big league Spring Training.
The Bucs announced non-roster deals with: right-handers Wilfredo Boscan, Deolis Guerra and Curtis Partch; left-hander Robert Zarate; infielder Cole Figueroa; and outfielder Danny Ortiz. Guerra made 10 relief appearances for Pittsburgh last season, while Boscan had three stints on the Major League roster but didn't appear in a game.
Boscan, 26, went 10-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 25 appearances, including 23 starts, for Triple-A Indianapolis last season. Guerra, 26, made his big league debut in 2015 after spending parts of 10 seasons in the Minor Leagues. Once a highly regarded prospect, Guerra posted a 6.48 ERA but struck out 17 batters in 16 2/3 innings in the Majors last season.
Partch, 28, spent the entire year with Triple-A Sacramento, finishing 1-3 with a 3.53 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings over 48 appearances. Partch pitched in 20 games for the Reds from 2013-14, compiling a 1-1 record and 4.75 ERA.
Zarate, 28, was invited to Spring Training with the Rays last season. He pitched in 17 games for Triple-A Durham, including five starts, and went 2-1 with a 2.90 ERA.
Figueroa was in the Yankees' system last season, playing mostly for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 28-year-old infielder batted .292 with a .713 OPS in 121 games, splitting time between third base and shortstop. He has 25 games of Major League experience with the Rays and Yankees.
Ortiz hit .248 with 17 homers, 31 doubles, three triples and 78 RBIs in 131 games for Triple-A Rochester last season. A fourth-round Draft pick in 2008, the 25-year-old outfielder had spent his entire career in the Twins' organization.