LAS VEGAS -- The Pirates signing of Jordan Lyles is pending a physical examination.
If the right-hander passes, as expected, the one-year, $2.05-million contract he agreed to as a free agent on Tuesday will be completed.
Lyles, 28, is expected to compete with Nick Kingham and Steven Brault to be the fifth starter. That job opened Tuesday when Ivan Nova was traded to the White Sox.
Lyles spent last season with the Padres and Brewers. In 33 games, including eight starts, he had a 3-4 record, 4.11 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings.
Lyles was 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA after being claimed off waivers Aug. 5 from the Padres. He did not make the Brewers' postseason roster, as they advanced to Game 7 of the National League Championship Series before losing to the Dodgers.
However, Lyles threw a changeup more often after joining the Brewers. Having an off-speed pitch to go with a fastball, curveball and cutter made him intriguing to the Pirates.
Lyles is an eight-year veteran who also pitched for the Astros (2011-13) and Rockies (2014-17) before joining the Padres midway through the '17 season. He has a 31-52 lifetime record with a 5.28 ERA in 217 games, including 115 starts. Per nine innings, he averages 10.1 hits allowed, 3.0 walks and 6.4 strikeouts.