Pirates acquire pitcher Gomez from Indians

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired right-handed pitcher Jeanmar Gomez from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league outfielder Quincy Latimore.

The 24-year-old Gomez is 14-16 with a 5.18 ERA in 42 major league appearances, including 38 starts. Gomez went 5-8 with a 5.96 ERA in 2012 with Cleveland. Gomez made his major league debut with the Indians in 2010, when he allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his 11 starts.

Gomez was placed on the 40-man roster and will have a chance to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. The Pirates have at least one job up for grabs behind A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez and James McDonald. Pittsburgh reached an agreement with free agent left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano in December but Liriano has not yet signed.

Gomez will join a group that includes Jeff Locke and Kyle McPherson in competition for the fifth-starting spot.

Latimore hit .252 with 15 home runs and 71 RBIs in 126 games at Double-A Altoona last year. The 23-year-old was taken by the Pirates in the fourth round of the 2007 draft.

WPXI