Pirates sign reliever Farnsworth

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth to a minor league contract on Friday and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The 37-year-old Farnsworth was designated for assignment on Monday by the Tampa Bay Rays after appearing in 39 games this year and posting a 2-0 record with a 5.76 ERA. In 15 major league seasons, he has a 42-62 record with a 4.29 ERA and 52 saves in 951 1/3 innings.

Farnsworth could be insurance for a strong Pirates bullpen that ranks third in Major League Baseball with a 2.75 ERA but is awaiting the return of injured closer Jason Grilli.

The Pirates entered Friday's action leading the National League Central with the NL's second-best record.