|
|
Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, who led San Diego into the 1998 World Series, rejoined the Padres on Thursday after agreeing to an $800,000, one-year contract.
Hitchcock can make an additional $700,000 in performance bonuses based on starts and innings pitched.
The Padres also
agreed to an $800,000, one-year deal with right-hander Ismael Valdes, a former
division rival with Los Angeles who pitched the last three seasons in the AL.
He has the same bonus opportunities as Hitchcock.
Hitchcock was selected MVP of the 1998 NLCS after beating the Atlanta Braves
twice.
Hitchcock, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in 2000, returns to San Diego after pitching for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals the last three seasons.
Hitchcock began the 2003 season with the Yankees, who used him in only 27 games, including one start, before he was traded to the Cardinals on Aug. 22.
While with St. Louis, Hitchcock started six of his eight games, going 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA.
Hitchcock originally joined the Padres in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Scott Sanders on December 6, 1996. He pitched parts of his first four seasons with the Yankees.
In parts of 12 big league seasons, he's 74-73 with a 4.77 ERA.
Valdes has pitched with Los Angeles, the Chicago Cubs, Anaheim, Seattle and Texas, compiling a lifetime record of 88-94 and a 3.93 ERA.
Valdes was 8-8 with a 6.10 ERA last year in 22 starts for the Rangers.