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The St. Louis Cardinals announced Tuesday the signing of starting pitcher Jake Westbrook to a contract extension through 2013 with a mutual option for the 2014 season. Terms of the extension were not immediately released.
Westbrook had a mutual option for the 2013 season, based off a two-year, $16.5 million extension he signed with the club in 2010. The mutual option was worth $8.5 million for 2013 with a $1 million buyout.
Westbrook, who will turn 35 in September, is 12-9 on the season. He's won five of his last six decisions, dropping his ERA to 3.50. He allowed one earned run and six hits in 7.2 innings of work in a duel against Pittsburgh Pirates starter James McDonald in his last start.
He's slated to start Thursday against the Houston Astros, as the Cardinals stand 1.5 games behind the Pirates and the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card race.
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