Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Veteran Starter-Turned-Reliever

The Pittsburgh Pirates make another free agency move.

The Pirates have signed pitcher Caleb Smith to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

SIGNED: #Pirates have signed LHP Caleb Smith to a minor-league contract.

— MLB Transaction Tracker (@MLBMovesTracker) February 10, 2023

Smith was removed from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 40-man roster back in November after being diagnosed with a left elbow ligament tear.

Rather than undergo Tommy John surgery, Smith decided to go the rest and rehab route after multiple medical opinions.

The thirty-one-year-old finished last season with a 4.11 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts across 70 innings of work. He made one start, 43 relief appearances and finished 14 games.

It's still not clear when exactly he'll be ready to pitch for the Pirates this season.

For his six-year career, Smith holds a 4.55 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, with 478 strikeouts over 447 innings of work. The left-handed pitcher has spent time with the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and the D-Backs.
Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports