Brewers signed lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez

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By Jon Griffith - email

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez to a one-year contract Monday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated right-handed pitcher Arcenio Leon for assignment. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

Gonzalez, 34, went 0-0 with a 3.03 ERA in 47 relief appearances with Washington last season. He held opponents to a .237 batting average, including .179 to left-handed hitters, and recorded 39 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched. He signed with the Nationals as a free agent on May 8 after recovering from October 2011 surgery on his left knee.

Gonzalez has gone 17-21 with a 2.94 ERA and 56 saves in 434 career appearances with Pittsburgh (2003-06), Atlanta (2007-09), Baltimore (2010-11), Texas (2011) and Washington (2012). All of his appearances have come in relief. Gonzalez has produced 451 career strikeouts in just 394.1 innings pitched. He has held opponents to a .217 batting average, including .209 to left-handed hitters.

Gonzalez will wear uniform number 51, previously worn by right-handed reliever Jim Henderson, who has been switched to number 29.