From Arizona Diamondbacks Media Relations

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Bob Howry on a one-year contract with a club option for 2011, as announced by D-backs Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Byrnes. Consistent with team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Bob is a proven, veteran reliever,” Byrnes said. “We feel that he will strengthen our bullpen.”

Howry, 36, was 2-6 with a 3.39 ERA (24 ER in 63.2 IP) in 63 relief appearances for the San Francisco Giants last season. He limited right-handed batters to a .207 batting average (30-for-145) with 5 walks and 25 strikeouts while left-handed batters hit .225 (20-for-89) with 18 walks and 21 strikeouts. Against NL West opponents, he was 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA (11 ER in 31.1 IP) and a .212 opponents average (24-for-113) with 11 walks and 23 strikeouts.

Over parts of 12 seasons in the Majors with the Chicago White Sox (1998-2002), Boston Red Sox (2002-03), Cleveland Indians (2004-05), Chicago Cubs (2006-08) and Giants (2009), he is 44-49 with 66 saves and a 3.66 ERA (306 ER in 752.2 IP) in 731 career relief appearances. In 86 career games against NL West opponents, he is 7-4 with 4 saves, a 3.47 ERA (32 ER in 83.0 IP) and a .215 opponents batting average (66-for-307) with 19 walks and 76 strikeouts. Since 2005, he leads the Majors with 376 appearances, ahead of new teammates Chad Qualls’ 365 outings and Aaron Heilman’s 356 games. His 97 holds rank fourth among active relievers.

Howry is a Valley native and attended Deer Valley High School in Glendale.