White Sox sign lefty reliever Zach Duke to three-year, $15 million deal

The Chicago White Sox have signed left-handed free agent reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million deal, the team announced Tuesday.

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. 

I am so thrilled to be joining the @whitesox family! This team has some elite young talent! Can't wait to get started!

— Zach Duke (@zach_duke) November 18, 2014

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. 

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- Danielle Zhu