The White Sox on Tuesday announced the signing of right-handed reliever Steve Cishek, who agreed to terms on a one-year, $6-million contract that includes a club option for 2021.
Right-hander Dylan Covey was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Cishek, 33, will receive $5.25 million in 2020, while the Sox hold a $6.75-million option for 2021 with a $750,000 buyout. The deal was first reported last Tuesday.
“We believe Steve is a solid addition to our bullpen,” Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. “He complements our other relievers well, provides a different look to opposing hitters later in games, and has consistently proven to be both durable and successful throughout his career.”
Cishek adds his submarine-style delivery to a bullpen that figures to included closer Alex Colome, right-handers Kelvin Herrera, Evan Marshall and Jimmy Cordero and left-handers Aaron Bummer and Jace Fry.
Cishek, 33, posted a 2.95 ERA and seven saves over 70 relief appearances with the Cubs in 2019. He pitched to a 0.66 ERA over his final 16 appearances, holding the opposition scoreless in 15 games.
Cishek, who made 80 appearances for the Cubs in 2018, has navigated a hefty workload over 10 seasons with the Marlins, Cardinals, Mariners, Rays and Cubs. He ranks sixth among relief leaders since 2011 in appearances with 569 and 13th in ERA at 2.71. His 150 appearances since 2018 are the third-most in baseball, and his 2.69 career ERA is fifth-lowest among active pitchers with 500 or more relief outings.
Covey, a 2010 first-round draft pick of the Brewers selected by the Sox from the Athletics in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft, has pitched in 63 games including 45 starts for the Sox over the last three seasons, posting a 6.54 ERA. In 2019, he appeared in 18 games including 12 starts and went 1-8 with a 7.98 ERA.
