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The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed reliever Kyle Farnsworth to a minor league contract and assigned to him to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to a team announcement. Farnsworth was recently released by the Rays after they designated him for assignment.
Farnsworth, 37, was 2-0 with a 5.76 ERA, 5.8 K/9, and 2.1 BB/9 in 29.2 innings for the Rays this year after signing a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the team last winter. The Pirates are likely adding him as a bullpen depth for the stretch run, and he could earn a promotion when rosters expand in September if he pitches well with Indianapolis.
In fifteen major league seasons with the Cubs (1999-2005), Tigers (2005, 2008), Braves (2005, 2010), Yankees (2006-2008), Royals (2009-2010) and Rays (2011-2013), Farnsworth is 42-62 with a 4.29 ERA and 52 saves in 849 career appearances. He is set to be a free agent after the season, and his performance with Indianapolis could prove pivotal to earning a major league job for next season.
