White Sox sign lefty reliever Zach Duke to three-year, $15 million deal
The Chicago White Sox have signed free agent left-handed reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million deal, the team announced Tuesday.
Duke, 31, was a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2005-10. Last season he was used in a new role as a reliever with the Milwaukee Brewers and posted a 5-1 record with a 2.45 ERA over 58 2/3 innings in 74 appearances.
Duke took to Twitter to confirm the news and to thank Brewers fans.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said last week at the GM meetings that the team was exploring options to improve their bullpen, which posted a 4.38 ERA and ranked 28th out of 30 in the league.
"Very early on, we identified Zach as one of the best left-handed free agents available this offseason, so we are very pleased he agreed to join the White Sox," said Hahn in a statement announcing the deal. "He addresses an important need in our bullpen by giving [manager] Robin Ventura a veteran left-handed option late in games."
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The White Sox finished last season with a record of 73-89, fourth in the AL Central.
- Danielle Zhu
