Pirates sign A.J. Burnett
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Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - After a one year separation, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett on Friday.
The one-year deal is reportedly worth $8.5 million.
Burnett, 37, pitched for the Pirates from 2012-13, helping them to their first winning season and playoff appearance since 1992. In those two seasons, he compiled a 26-21 record, totaling 393 1/3 innings over 61 starts. He struck out 389 batters in that span and led the National League in strikeouts per nine innings in 2013.
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In 2014, Burnett pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies but was not as successful. Despite leading the National League with 34 starts, he also led with 18 losses, 96 walks and a career high 109 earned runs allowed. He had an 8-18 record and 190 strikeouts in 213 2/3 innings. Last month, Burnett underwent hernia surgery after suffering an injury in April that he managed to pitch through during the season.