PITTSBURGH — The Pirates today signed right-hander Jose R. Diaz to a minor league contract according to Baseball America. They also re-signed catcher Rudy Pena and outfielder Gerlis Rodriguez and released left-hander Christopher Richardson.
Diaz, 27, appeared in 34 games of relief for the Baltimore Orioles Double-A team in 2011. He posted a 1.21 ERA over 32.0 innings with 13 walks and 38 strikeouts. Diaz also appeared in 14 games with Triple-A where he posted a 5.68 ERA. Diaz is currently pitching in the Dominican for the Toros del Este where he’s tossed 11.1 scoreless frames with one hit allowed, four walks and six strikeouts.
Pena has spent the last three seasons as a coach for the Pirates Gulf Coast League.
Rodriguez, 23, didn’t play in 2011 and spent the 2010 season with the State College Spikes. He batted .201 over 48 games with eight runs, eight doubles, a homer and 24 RBI.
Richardson, 19, signed as an international free agent in 2010 by Pittsburgh. Richardson posted a 3.24 ERA over 8.1 innings with the Dominican Summer League in 2011.
- Infielder Brandon Wood signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies today. Wood, 26, was claimed by Pittsburgh off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels in April. Wood was used primarily as an utility infielder with the Pirates. The former first round pick batted .220 in 99 games with nine doubles, seven home runs and 31 RBI.
Discussion about this post