Ritchie returns with minor league contract



PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Right-hander Todd Ritchie returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, agreeing to a minor league contract that will be would be worth $350,000 if he pitches in the majors this season.
The deal includes $550,000 in performance bonuses that should be reachable if the 32-year-old Ritchie is in Pittsburgh's rotation.
Ritchie was 35-32 with Pittsburgh from 1999-2001, going 15-9 in 1999. He was traded to the White Sox with minor leaguer Lee Evans for right-handers Kip Wells, Josh Fogg and Sean Lowe. Wells and Fogg remain in Pittsburgh's rotation.
He was 5-15 with a 6.06 ERA in 2002 with the White Sox, then started the Brewers' 2003 home opener but hurt his rotator cuff.
Ritchie, 32, was limited to five appearances for Milwaukee that season and four for Tampa Bay in 2004, going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in eight innings for the Devil Rays.
Three others signed
Pittsburgh also agreed to minor league contracts with catcher-infielder Edwards Guzman, infielder Cesar Crespo and right-hander Kevin Olsen.
Crespo began last season as Boston's utility infielder but was sent to the minors after hitting .165 in 52 games.
Guzman is a career .228 hitter in 127 games with the Expos and Giants.
While pitching for Florida, Olsen was struck in the face by a Todd Walker line drive in Boston on June 27, 2003, and missed time with a concussion and vertigo.
He was not invited to spring training last year before going 3-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 10 games for Triple-A Albuquerque.
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