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UPDATE 3:37PM: Jenifer Langosch is reporting that the Pirates have designated Jason Jaramillo for assignment to open that 40-man roster spot.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a 1 year, $4.5 M contract with LHP Erik Bedard, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports and Jon Heyman of SI.com. The deal is pending a physical, and will require another 40-man roster spot to be cleared.
Bedard was a free agent after spending last season in Seattle and being traded to Boston at the trade deadline. The oft-injured lefty made 24 starts last year between the two teams, posting a 5-9 record with a 3.62 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings pitched. However, the 24 starts he made last year was the most he had made in a season since 2007, when he was still in Baltimore.
If Bedard can stay healthy, he slots in as a potential top-flight starter, and should be an upgrade over either of the anticipated 4th and 5th starters, Jeff Karstens and Brad Lincoln.
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