The Milwaukee Brewers signed RHP Yovani Gallardo to a five-year contract with an option for 2015.
The new deal will pay Gallardo $30.1-million and has an option for a 6th year that could increase the package to $42.5-million.
The 24 year old Gallardo was selected by the Brewers in the second rounf of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. He owns a career record of 22-18 with a 3.58 ERA in 55 games (52 starts) since making his Major League debut in 2007. He went 13-12 with a 3.73 ERA in 30 starts last season, which marked his first full season in the Major Leagues.
Gallardo made his first career Opening Day start on Monday, was named 2009 Brewers Most Valuable Pitcher as he produced a team-leading 17 quality starts and held opponents to a .219 batting average, which ranked third in the National League last season. His 204 strikeouts ranked fifth in the National League last season and fifth on the all-time franchise list for a single season.
[Bill Scott reports on Gallardo’s signing 1:21]