The Chicago White Sox and right-handed pitcher J.J. Putz (Puts) have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3-million contract.
Putz, 32, is 23-19 with a 3.24 ERA (127 ER/352.1 IP), 103 saves and 356 strikeouts in 337 relief appearances over seven major-league seasons with Seattle (2003-2008) and the New York Mets (2009).
The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder spent the 2009 season with the Mets, going 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA (17 ER/29.1 IP), 10 holds and two saves in 29 relief appearances. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow on June 9 and missed the remainder of the season.
From 2006-07, Putz ranked among the major-league relief leaders in strikeouts (2nd, 186), ERA (3rd, 1.86), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (3rd, 11.16), saves (3rd, 76), opponents average (4th, .182), wins (T4th, 10) and IP (6th, 150.0). His best season came in 2007 when he went 6-1 with a 1.38 ERA (11 ER/71.2 IP) and a career-high 40 saves in 42 chances.
Putz, a member of the 2007 American League All-Star Team, originally was drafted by Seattle in the sixth round of the 1999 draft. He was traded to the Mets as part of a three-team deal on December 11, 2008.