Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Jeff Karstens will be returning to the
Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2013 season, with the club announcing Thursday that
it has reached agreement with the right-handed pitcher on a one-year contract.
Karstens had been non-tendered by the Pirates at the Nov. 30 deadline, but was
reportedly brought back at a lesser salary than he would have earned through
arbitration. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he signed for $2.5
million after receiving a $3.1 million salary in 2012.
The 30-year-old went 5-4 with a 3.97 earned run average in 19 games (15
starts) with Pittsburgh last season. Karstens won a career-high nine times
while pitching to a 3.38 ERA over 30 appearances (26 starts) the previous
year.
Karstens, who has been with the Pirates since 2008, owns a 26-40 career record
with a 4.44 ERA through 138 games (91 starts) over seven major league seasons
with Pittsburgh and the New York Yankees.
To make room for Karstens on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated pitcher
Zach Stewart for assignment.
The Sports Network