Brewers sign free agent Matt Garza to four-year contract

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent, right-handed starter Matt Garza to a four-year contract with a vesting option for the 2018 season.

The announcement was made by President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Doug Melvin.

“Matt is an established top-of-the-rotation pitcher who provides our staff with experience and quality depth,” said Melvin.

Garza, 30, is 67-67 with a 3.84 ERA in 194 games (191 starts) during eight Major League seasons with Minnesota (2006-07), Tampa Bay (2008-10), Chicago-NL (2011-13) and Texas (2013). After missing nearly the first two months of 2013 due to injury (side/back), he returned to post a 10-6 record with a 3.82 ERA in 24 starts between the Cubs (11gs) and Rangers (13gs) last season.

Garza was named 2008 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (2gs, 2-0, 1.38 ERA vs. Boston) and threw the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay Rays history on July 26, 2010 vs. Detroit. He is 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA in five career postseason starts (31ip, 12er).

Garza will wear uniform number 22. Outfielder Logan Schafer, who previously wore the number, will now wear number 1.