PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates added another candidate for their bullpen Monday by claiming right-hander Virgil Vazquez off waivers from San Diego.

The Pirates become the third team to grab Vazquez off the waiver wire this offseason. Boston claimed him from Detroit on Oct. 28 then San Diego claimed him from the Red Sox on Jan. 9.

Vazquez, 26, spent last season with the Tigers' Class AAA Toledo farm club, going 12-12 with a 4.81 ERA in 27 starts. He pitched 159 innings, allowed 179 hits and 37 walks, and struck out 115 after entering the season ranked as the Tigers' 18th-best prospect by Baseball America magazine.

His lone major-league action came with Detroit in 2007 and he was 0-1 with an 8.64 ERA in five games, three starts.

Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said if Vazquez does not make the major-league club in spring training, he would likely begin the season in the starting rotation at Class AAA Indianapolis as he has one minor-league option remaining.

''Virgil is someone we liked as a prospect two years ago but he had a tough year last year,'' Huntington said. ''His stuff is good enough to pitch out of the bullpen in the major leagues and he also gives us some starting pitching depth.''

Vazquez's best pitches are a sinking fastball that is usually in the 87-89 mph range and a slider, while his slow curveball and changeup are inconsistent.

Huntington also said he is hopeful of adding a free agent this week to compete with Brandon Moss and Nyjer Morgan for the two corner outfield spots flanking center fielder Nate McLouth. Those two are expected to compete in spring training along with Craig Monroe and Jeff Salazar, who were signed as minor-league free agents earlier in the offseason.

Meanwhile, the Pirates have two weeks in which to settle their salary arbitration case with left-hander Paul Maholm and three weeks to come to an agreement with McLouth.

Hearing dates for both cases were set Monday and Maholm's will be Feb. 10 while McLouth's was scheduled for Feb. 17. Both hearings would be held in Phoenix and the sides can continue negotiating until then.

Both players are seeking salaries of $3.8 million while the Pirates have offered $2.75 million to McLouth and $2.65 million to Maholm. If an agreement cannot be reached before a hearing, a three-member panel of arbiters will hear the case and select either the player's figure or the Pirates' figure.