Brewers sign Tom Gorzelanny

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed free-agent left-hander Tom Gorzelanny to a two-year deal, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

The Brewers have reached a two-year agreement with free-agent left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, contingent on him passing a physical...

Gorzelanny is a nice fit for the Brewers because they have no left-hander in the bullpen after non-tendering Manny Parra. But they also are looking for some depth in their starting rotation, and Gorzelanny has an extensive background in that role.

Much like Carlos Villanueva, who signed with the Cubs this morning, the Brewers have the option of using the 30-year-old Gorzelanny as a bullpen option or a spot starter, a role he flourished in with the Nationals the last two years.

Acquired from the Cubs in a trade for several prospects in early 2011, the veteran southpaw posted a 3.56 ERA and 8.0 K/9 rate in 177 innings over 75 appearances (16 starts) his two seasons in the nation's capital.

Gorzelanny does not have the largest platoon split in the world for a lefty, but he has pitched considerably better against left-handed batters in his eight-year career so he could take on a LOOGY role if he struggles out of the gate in a non-platoon role.