A little more than ten weeks to go before opening day and the Sioux Falls Pheasants are shoring up their starting rotation for the 2013 season.

Veteran right-hander Kyle Ruwe has signed with the American Association team.  Ruwe pitched for the Pheasants in 2011, and was a late season pickup for the St. Paul Saints last year.  As a member of the Pheasants 2011 starting rotation, Ruwe went 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA in 16 starts. He struck out 29 men and walked 20 in 99 1/3 innings pitched.

In a release from the team, manager Steve Shirley said:

We’re glad to have Kyle back after the great numbers he put up with St. Paul. He adds depth to our starting rotation with the ability to go deep into a game and give us a chance to win.

Ruwe enters his ninth season of professional baseball, all in independent baseball, amassing a 60-40 record and a lifetime 4.59 ERA. He has a career strikeout-to-walk ratio over 2.5:1 with 407 strikeouts.

He spent his first three seasons in the American Association with the Lincoln Saltdogs, appearing primarily as a reliever. He worked exclusively as a starter in the last four seasons.

The Sioux Falls Pheasants open the season May 16th at Sioux City, with the home opener a night later against the Explorers at Sioux Falls Baseball Stadium.

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