Tyler Lyons, a left-hander who has pitched in 147 games for the Cardinals, is one of four free agents who have been signed to minor-league contracts by the Pirates and invited to major league spring training.
The Pirates also announced Friday the signings of right-hander Roberto Gomez, catcher Steven Baron and outfielder Patrick Kivlehan. All have major league experience.
Lyons, 30, was 12-10 with three saves and a 4.09 ERA during six seasons with the Cardinals from 2013-18, making 20 starts and 127 relief appearances. Last season, he was 1-0 with an 8.64 ERA in 27 games before being optioned to Triple-A Memphis on July 29. He was 1-1 with one save and a 2.49 ERA in seven games with the Redbirds.
However, Lyons had quite a bit of success in 2016 and 2017, going a combined 6-1 with three saves and a 3.09 ERA in 80 games. If he can regain that form in spring training, Lyons will have a legitimate chance to make the team.
Gomez, 29, made the Giants' opening day roster last year and was 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in five games. He also made 14 relief appearances for Triple-A Sacramento and had a 1-3 record and 5.00 ERA. Gomez debuted in the major leagues in 2017, pitching in four games for San Francisco.
Baron, 28, has played in six big league games with the Mariners (2015) and Cardinals (2018), going 1-for-16 (.063). In 41 games with Memphis last year, he hit .213/.262/.250.
Kivlehan, 29, has logged time in the majors with the Padres (2016), Reds (2016-17) and Diamondbacks (2018), batting .208/.302/.401 with 10 home runs in 132 games. Nine of the homers came in 2017 in 204 plate appearances.
Kivlehan played in nine games for the Diamondbacks last season but hit a combined .298/.359/.543 with 20 home runs in 113 games at the Triple-A level with the Mets' Las Vegas farm club and the Reds' Louisville affiliate.