Pittsburgh Pirates sign RHP Jordan Lyles
Jordan Lyles, who had spent the 2018 season split between the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres, is joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced recently.
According to an official team release, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles to a one-year contract. Earlier reports by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of Fancred and MLB Network indicated that the sides were close, with Lyles reportedly set up to earn $2.05 million guaranteed in 2019.
Lyles, 28, has had an interestingly inconsistent career that has seen him log innings with the Padres, Brewers, Rockies, and Astros in parts of eight major league seasons. In 2018, he pitched to an ERA of 4.11 in 87.2 frames, striking out 84 and walking 28.
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Boasting a career 5.28 ERA, Lyles isn’t exactly the most impactful pitcher a team could bring in this offseason, though his 162-game average of 157 innings, a 5.28 ERA and a WHIP of 1.457 could serve as filler at the back end of a starting rotation.
A first-round draft pick of the Houston Astros in 2008 (the same round that saw the selection of Eric Hosmer, Buster Posey, Yonder Alonso, Lance Lynn, Aaron Hicks and Wade Miley, among others), Lyles was drafted out of high school is South Carolina.
Pirates GM Neil Huntington spoke about the signing:
"We are pleased to add Jordan Lyles to our Major League pitching staff. Jordan has always had a quality pitch arsenal, and given his success after adjusting how he used his pitches during the 2018 season, he will have a legitimate opportunity to earn a spot in our rotation in 2019. We look forward to helping Jordan continue to bridge the gap between potential and performance."
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Lyles likely represents a depth signing, as the team recently traded away starter Ivan Nova to the White Sox. More to come.