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UPDATE 11:00am ET: Figaro's deal with the Brewers has hit a bit of a snag, as the Orix Buffaloes -- his Japanese Pacific League squad -- claim to have the rights to the right-hander and have stated the Brewers cannot sign him, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
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ORIGINAL: The Milwaukee Brewers have signed right-hander Alfredo Figaro to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
The Milwaukee Brewers added to their pitching depth Wednesday by signing right-hander Alfredo Figaro to a minor-league contract for 2013 with an invitation to their spring camp...
"He has a good arm," said Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash. "He will compete as a starter (in spring training) and move to the pen as needed."
Figaro, 28, spent the last two seasons in Japan pitching for the Orix Buffaloes of the JPL. The right-hander posted a 3.31 ERA and 6.1 K/9 rate over 187⅔ innings in his two seasons in the Far East. Before heading to Japan, Figaro pitched in the Detroit Tigers organization for six seasons, breaking in to the big leagues for two brief cups of coffee in 2009 and 2010.
The Brewers scouted the right-hander in Dominican winter ball, where he has a 2.63 ERA in six games. Figaro is currently pitching for Licey -- a team run by Brewers' Triple-A manager Mike Guerrero.
