Houston Sports category interest

The Houston Astros have signed free agent right handed pitcher Steve Cishek to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training camp, General Manager James Click announced today.

In his 10-plus Major League seasons, the veteran Cishek has been one of the most consistent and durable relievers in the Majors, posting a 2.78 ERA in 594 career appearances (all in relief) with a .214 opponents average and 132 saves. He has a .204 career opponents average vs. right-handed hitters. Additionally, Cishek has had an ERA of 2.81 or lower in seven of his 10 full seasons and ranks fifth among all relievers in appearances since the start of the 2011 season with 591.

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Most recently, Cishek spent the 2020 season with the Chicago White Sox, making 20 appearances in the abbreviated, 60-game season (0-0, 5.40 ERA, 21 SO in 20.0 IP). Prior to that, he spent two seasons with the cross-town Chicago Cubs (2018-2019), where he pitched to a combined 2.55 ERA in 150 appearances with 11 saves and a .195 opponents average, allowing just 93 hits in 134.1 innings in that span.

Cishek, 34, began his Major League career with the Marlins (2010-15) and later pitched for the Cardinals (2015), Mariners (2016-17) and Rays (2017). He spent a portion of his career as a closer for the Marlins, tallying 34 saves in 36 chances in 2013, followed by a career-high 39 saves in 2014. He also had 25 saves while with the Mariners in 2016.

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