White Sox sign Duke for 3 years, $15 million
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent pitcher Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract.
Duke, 31, is coming off a successful season with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 74 appearances out of the bullpen, the left-hander had a 2.45 ERA and a 5-1 record with 74 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings.
The Brewers signed Duke to a minor-league contract prior to the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"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 White Sox general manager Rick Hahn. "He addresses an important need in our bullpen by giving (manager) Robin Ventura a veteran left-handed option late in games."
Duke was especially effective against lefties last season, limiting them to a .198 average with 19 hits in 96 at-bats. He struck out 37 left-handed batters, and only eight of 41 inherited runners scored against him.
He has a 55-77 record and 4.46 ERA in 289 games over 10 seasons for the Pirates, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Reds and Brewers, including 169 starts. He finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2005 with a 1.81 ERA in 14 starts. He was named to the National League All-Star team in 2009.