NC Dinos release Shirek, sign ex-MLB pitcher Stewart

The NC Dinos announced Wednesday they would sign pitcher Zach Stewart to a one-year deal worth $250,000.

Stewart replaces Charlie Shirek, who was released last week. Shirek, 29, spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Dinos and was the first foreign pitcher to have a no-hitter in the KBO. But this season, he was 4-5 with a 5.74 ERA in 12 games.

Stewart, who has been with the Los Angeles Angels’ triple-A affiliate Salt Lake Bees this season, made his Major League Baseball debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in June 2011. The 28-year-old American also had stints with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. His MLB record is 3-10 with a 6.82 ERA in 33 appearances - 14 of them as a starter.

The Dinos said the right-hander was a teammate of current Dinos’ slugger Eric Thames with the Blue Jays. Stewart will arrive in Korea next week, the Changwon-based club said.